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Have you ever heard the term crepitus? Probably not! But you do experience it every day. Crepitus is the grating, grinding, or crackling sound that accompanies the sensation produced by movement of bones and cartilage, or by friction between two bones connected by a joint. In common parlance, we call it joint cracking or bone popping. Sometimes, though, people experience excessive joint cracking and become worried because the common notion is that it is a sign of ‘weakness’ or ‘disease’. So, is excessive bone cracking a sign of a disease or the apprehensions are just urban myths, let us find out!
Why Do Our Bones Crack?
Dr Dhruv Zutshi, Senior Neurologist, Fortis Vasant Kunj, says a lot of people go to him with complaints of joints cracking. “They hear the sounds when they move their shoulders, move their necks or even knees at times. Is it actually a disease, they would ask,” Zutshi says. Joint cracking is a natural phenomenon and doesn’t mean that there has to be an underlying disease, Zutshi adds.. There are many factors involved why we might experience joint cracking, and some days experience it more. Zutshi lists some of the most common causes of joint cracking:
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Gas
A lot of joint cracking is due to movement of the gas bubbles in the joint fluid called the Synovial Fluid. A lot of bubbles form in this fluid and theyburst within the joint and make us experience a cracking sensation. This fluid is full of gases like oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide.
Joint Contact
Cartilage is the natural cushion between the bony surfaces of your joints. and When the bones rub against one the joints may sometimes make noise as the cartilage wears away.
Tight Tendons
If you have tight muscles or tendons, the series of cracking or popping sounds as the joint is moved repetitively may not be serious. The soft snapping or clicking sounds may be the tight muscles or tendons moving over a bony structure.
When To See A Doctor?
Dr Dhruv Zutshi says although more often than not bone cracking may increase as you age and the bones wear off, however, if there are other symptoms too, then it is a cause of concern. “If you are experiencing pain, swelling, and tightening of the muscle around the joint then it may be a sign, in that case, you should consult a doctor,” he adds.
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Does Cracking Bones Cause Arthritis?
“This is just an urban myth,” suggests Dr Dhruv Zutshi. No research has established that cracking your knuckles or other joints is a cause of arthritis. You may still want to limit how much you crack your knuckles. Repetitive cracking may impact grip strength and ultimately result in swollen hands.
Conclusion
While joint cracking can often cause concern, it's often benign and part of normal human function. Usually, it's just gas bubbles or tight tendons popping in and out of their positions, and it isn't a sign of any pathological disease. However, you should not ignore the pops accompanied by pain or swelling. Your body communicates in a multitude of ways, so it is usually best practice to listen.