Popping backs, knees that crack when you stand up, wrists that snap when you rotate them— we’ve all had experience with noisy joints. But what are they trying to indicate, and should you be concerned? We discussed how to translate all those pops, cracks and snaps with Joel Dennison, an orthopedic surgeon on the medical staff of Texas Health Southwest who operates at Texas Health Clearfork and is part of Texas Hip and Knee Center, a Texas Health Physicians Group practice.

How It Works

According to the Arthritis Foundation, snapping and popping of joints is common and isn’t a cause or sign of arthritis. Fluid exists in the joints to reduce friction, and thus reduce wear and tear. When you pull on a joint, you can create a gas bubble within that fluid. That’s when we hear the popping sounds that these knuckles and many other joints make.

“It’s not uncommon for joints to pop and click,” Dennison explains. “I sometimes even demonstrate for my patients how a normal functioning knee can pop by flexing my own knee! With no pain, there is no concern.”

Noisy joints can also be caused by tight ligaments sliding from one bone to another. This commonly occurs in the ankle and knee. Pops that occur in your neck and back are mostly caused by minor misalignments — hence your back cracking so loudly during a chiropractic visit, or when you twist around in your desk chair to try to relieve the tension from sitting for so long.

Is It Safe?

As Dennison explains, joint sounds become something to worry about only when they are accompanied by pain or swelling. The most common cause for this combination of pain and noise is arthritis, but there are other causes as well.

Arthritis, most common in the knee and ankle, is when cartilage begins to wear down or tear — a condition that can eventually lead to a need for joint replacement. Popping sounds in conjunction with severe pain in the joint can also signal tearing or rupturing of the hamstring, Achilles tendon or anterior cruciate ligament.

“Sometimes it’s one bone rubbing against another bone when all cartilage and lubrication are gone, but it could also be from bone spurs secondary to knee or hip arthritis,” Dennison adds. “I explain to my patients that if there is pain, or functional limitations associated, they need to get it checked.”

While noisy joints may be a bit of nuisance, if there is no accompanying pain, they are typically harmless. Although popping your knuckles or cracking your back every now and then isn’t going to put you on the fast track to arthritis (and sure feels good!) Dennison notes one of the best ways to keep your joints healthy is to regularly participate in low-impact aerobic exercise such as power walking, swimming, using the elliptical or riding a stationary bike.

Physicians employed by Texas Health Physicians Group are not employees or agents of Texas Health Resources hospitals.

Find a joint replacement specialist today who can assist with your joint pain. Or to learn more about your joint health, take our hip and knee health assessment.