Why does my knee feel like it is being hyper extended when I walk down stairs?

[wires001]

Sometimes when I walk down steps or when hiking and change from downhill to flat or flat to uphill, during the first few steps I sometimes feel in my left knee something like it is being hyper extended. It doesn't hurt and there is no swelling or inflammation.  It's just real annoying - and something I very much want to avoid. Sort of like how you hate to hit the funny bone in your elbow or accidentally crack your knuckles.

I bought a compression strap and found that when I wear it, it almost never happens.  I did a 3 day backpacking trip over the weekend and it started really bugging me on the first day (went 13 miles in the mountains) but halfway through the day it almost stopped after I put on the compression strap. Wore it all day the next (did 16 miles) and it only happened a couple of times.

I go up and down steps a lot at work and started wearing the compression strap during the day and it has almost made it stop.

Is this anything to be concerned about?

Wondering of this is something that will heal and go away if I just keep wearing the compression strap for a while?