What makes the cracking sound of knuckles

One way to avoid creaking joints is to get up and move as much as you can during the day, Dr. The more active you are, the more your joints lubricate themselves. Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Related Articles. Trending Topics. What Parents Need to Know. Share this article via email with one or more people using the form below.

Klapper, knuckle cracking itself does no harm to your fingers, neck, ankles, or other joints that pop and crack throughout the day—whether from normal day-to-day motions or compulsive habits like pressing our knuckles or twisting your neck until you hear that familiar crack. However, if you experience discomfort while cracking, then there could be a pre-existing condition that is aggravated by twisting and pressing the joint.

Skip to content. But the satisfaction is mostly in your head. Were your parents right about arthritis? It does not lead to arthritis,' says Dr. Click To Tweet. Tags: Expert Advice. Bone and Joint Health.

A person might also find that the joint catches as they move. If the sound of a joint cracking occurs with any pain, this may indicate damage to the joint and possibly a tear in the cartilage that cushions it.

Anyone experiencing this should consider contacting a healthcare professional. While a person might be concerned that this causes arthritis, several studies have concluded that any association is unlikely.

One physician researched his own knuckle cracking, in response to complaints from his family. He cracked the knuckles of his left hand at least twice a day for 50 years, but not those of his right hand. The doctor did not develop arthritis in either hand, and he reported that there were no differences between the two hands. He concluded that knuckle cracking was not linked to arthritis. Among this group, The researchers concluded that the risk of developing arthritis is roughly the same, whether or not a person cracks their knuckles.

Joint manipulation stimulates a set of nerve endings, called the Golgi tendon organs, which are involved in the sense of motion. These sit where the tendons join the muscles, and they respond to changes in muscle load.

When a person cracks their joints and these nerve endings are stimulated, the person experiences a sense of release of pressure in the joints. This can also cause the muscles around the joint to feel more relaxed and the joint to feel more mobile. Cracking or popping joints does not seem to be linked to any health issue — unless the person also has pain and swelling in the area.

In this case, it may be a good idea to contact a healthcare professional. Because it stimulates nerve endings, cracking or popping joints may cause a feeling of released muscle tension and increased mobility.

There is no evidence that manipulating the joints in this way causes any health issue, such as arthritis. However, if a joint pops, clicks, or cracks, and there is pain or swelling in the area, it may be a good idea to seek medical advice.

Crepitus of the knee is when the knee makes a cracking or popping sensation when the a person bends or extends it. Often, it is the harmless popping…. Chiropractic manipulation is the most common form of alternative, complementary medicine.