“Sometimes my knees pops when I walk up staircase, is it normal?”
“My shoulder cracks every time I raise my arm…is that bad?”
These are the questions we often get in our centre. Whether it is from walking down the stairs, turning our neck too fast, or just rolling our ankles when you are just about to start your daily run.
The good news is, usually, joint cracking is not serious and is harmless. However, if the cracking intensity increases significantly or you have pain then it is something to explore.
What exactly ‘pops’?
Nitrogen Bubbles
Joint cracking is often an escape of air. Synovial fluid lubricates joints, and this fluid is made of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. When our joints move, there’s a change in pressure inside the joints, gas bubbles burst and you hear the familiar ‘popping’ or “cracking’ noise, just like how you crack your knuckles.
Why does it ‘pop’?
Daily movement
When we move, our tendon’s position changes, moves slightly out of place. A ‘popping’ sound may be heard as the tendon returns to its original position. This is commonly heard in the knee and ankle. Another commonly affected part of the body is the shoulder due to more flexible range of motion, hence it can be the noisiest joints in the body.
Injury
Broken bones, sprains, and tendon injuries from new/old injuries can all contribute. Have you had an injury? If so, it is important to see a healthcare professional who can examine your condition accordingly.
Old age
As we age, our joint surface and cartilage wear down. This will make more noise on your joints as the surface becomes rougher. Occasionally joint cracking can be caused by a more chronic condition, such as arthritis, it happens most especially in knee joints.
Athletic activities
If you participate in strenuous activities such as running and plyometrics, the ‘popping’ noise could be from tight muscles that are causing friction against your bones.
In conclusion, get moving around so that your joint lubricates on its own. This helps in reducing joint clicking. Do your stretches before and after your exercise to relaxes your tight muscles. It will also reduce the frequency of clicking sounds, as well as the risk of injury.
If you notice an increase in joint cracking, it is helpful to observe if anything has recently changed that is causing joint cracking. If these are accompanied by pain or swelling, or reduced movement, it is important to be evaluated by a healthcare professional to rule out injury.
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