Yeah I did hear a crackling at the time, which is not a good sign.
Tendons and ligaments can also make noise when stressed, but generally you are right that it is not a good sign.
I thought Ottawa would have good walk-in clinics. The last time I lived in a larger center in Ontario, we had a very good walk-in clinic a few blocks away that had x-ray on the premises. My current rural Ontario address does send me 60+km to the hospital, so the last time I had anything I self diagnosed and prescribed over the counter polysporin for an eye infection. Haven't had any need at my Montreal address since I moved here part time about 4 years ago.