Many patients worry about the amount of snapping, cracking and popping their joints make throughout the day. Some even avoid exercise or movements like squatting, lunging or reaching overhead simply because of the noise. The reassuring reality is that most cracking and snapping is harmless and has nothing to do with causing or developing arthritis or degeneration.

The majority of sounds we hear from joints are simply the compression of air bubbles moving within the joint space. Other sounds are caused by calcium deposits embedded within tendons sliding over bones. As long as there is no pain during the snapping, cracking or popping, it is generally nothing to be concerned about.

Why Do Our Joints Pop? (Crepitus)

In orthopedic and chiropractic circles, crepitus is the word used to describe the popping, clicking or crackling sound in a joint. Joint popping often occurs from nitrogen gas moving within the joint and is usually harmless. People most often notice crepitus in their knees, but it can also happen in other joints like the shoulder, elbow or neck.

Crepitus accompanied by pain, heat or swelling can be a sign of wear and tear or injury. If crepitus is ever painful, it is worth getting it evaluated by a doctor. While most crepitus is harmless, some forms signal a problem. Possible causes of painful joint popping include:

Osteoarthritis – a condition in which abnormal movement, lack of movement or trauma causes cartilage and joint structures to wear down, leaving bones unprotected and inflamed. When bones rub and grind, it causes pain and stiffness that usually worsens with activity.
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFS) – also known as runner’s knee, PFS causes crepitus along with pain behind the kneecap. It can occur when activity levels increase suddenly and is often linked to running, squatting or jumping.
Torn cartilage – a cartilage tear from a sports injury, fall or accident is another possible cause of painful crepitus.

What Can You Do About Noisy Joints?

As noted, most cracking, snapping and popping is harmless. A useful way to think about it: motion is lotion for the joints. The more you move, the more your joints lubricate themselves, which tends to diminish the crackling.

Longitudinal studies have debunked fears of arthritis developing from crackling joints, including cracking your knuckles, so those worries can be put to rest. That crackling may simply be a signal that the joint needs to move more. A few examples:

If knees feel creaky, consider air squats or side lunges.
If hips are always popping, try a piriformis stretch along with hip-flexor, hamstring and adductor stretches.
For snapping shoulders, incorporate windmill movements, arm swings and side bending with the arms outstretched.

Additional Diagnostics and Treatments

If you experience crepitus with pain, swelling or discomfort – or you simply remain concerned about it – an in-depth orthopedic and medical exam can provide answers. A physical examination of the joint in question may be paired with additional testing, such as:

X-ray
MRI scan
CT scan
Blood tests to check for signs of infection and inflammation
Antibody tests to see whether autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis could be causing symptoms