Knee pain/popping/warmth with dead lifts

so im a fairly experienced lifter and its not been until lately that ive been feeling pain and hearing some popping and feeling some warmth right below my knee cap while goin up on deadlifts. Any one know what this could be? Possible ligament or cartilidge damage?
 
all help is EXTREMELY appreciated, i dont give up deads, or seriously hurt myself

No food tastes as good as looking good Feels.
"Body Becomes Its Function"

anyone? and to elaborate on the pain..... its not really during the lift, its just afterwards when im at home, its more sore than anything.
Also, i did sustain a partial tear in my acl a couple years ago in that knee, you think this could be aggravating that?

No food tastes as good as looking good Feels.
"Body Becomes Its Function"

I had tendinitis in my left knee not to long ago and it was a pain! Sounds like it could be what you are dealing with. I found a little article on it here http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/knee/indexjumpersknee.html

I was in a bad spot because my job (electrician) required me to walk around all day, up and down stairs and ladders all day long. I just kept a wrap on the knee for about a week and laid off the running and leg workouts. After it got better I would still have a little pain after working legs so I just lifted light and threw some ice on after.

I hope this helps you out a little. I have been stupid in the past and not listened to my body when something has been hurt and that is the worst mistake you can make. If you hurt stop what you are doing and get better before you even think about working a body part out again. You might think you are just working through the pain but there is a huge difference between a mild strain and an all out tear.