Joints.
Last updated Wednesday, January 19, 2005
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Joint popping and crackingWhy do joints make popping or cracking noises? Joints can make different noises--some are serious and some are not.
Some people learn how to "pop their knuckles." By pushing or pulling
a joint in a certain way, an air bubble can suddenly appear in the
joint with a "pop." Once the bubble is there the joint cannot be popped
again until the air has been reabsorbed.
Some joints crack as the ligaments and tendons that pass over them
slide past bumps on the bones. Individuals who "crack their neck" make
noise in this way.
Other joints lock up intermittently--often with a loud pop--because
something gets caught in between the joint surfaces. A torn cartilage
in the knee or a loose piece of bone or cartilage in the joint can do
this. Once a joint is stuck in this way, it may need to be wiggled
around to unlock it. This may also cause a pop.
Finally, joints that are arthritic may crack and grind. These noises
usually occur each time the joint is moved. This noise is due to the
roughness of the joint surface due to loss of the smooth cartilage.
Credits Some of this material adapted from a chapter in the "Primer on the
Rheumatic Diseases" originally prepared by Peter A. Simkin, M.D.
Some of this material adapted from information originally prepared for the Arthritis Foundation.
This material is protected by copyright.
Disclaimer
This resource has been provided by the University of Washington Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine as general information only. This information may not apply to a specific patient. Additional information may be found at http://www.orthop.washington.edu or by contacting the UW Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine.
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