SNAP, CRACKLE, POP-WHY IS MY BODY MAKING NOISE?

Our musculoskeletal system is designed to move smoothly as we perform various tasks.  But we have hundreds of moving parts, mainly muscles, bones, and joints.  These parts have complicated interactions, and the reality is that we are not built perfect, and there are various noises that occur throughout our bodies.  So how do we sort out the pops, cracks, clicks, and grinding?

1. Its not always the bones: the ends of muscles are called tendons that attach to bones.  The tendons can snap over the bones close to where they attach when a nearby joint moves. This is common in the wrist, knee, and ankle.  
2. The joints have gas: The fluid that lubricates the inside of joints contains gases that build up in the joints.   When you crack a joint, you stretch the capsule that contains the gas and fluid, and the gas quickly escapes similar to a bubble bursting.  This makes a popping sound.  Once the gas builds up in the joint after a few minutes or hours,,then you can crack the joint again.
3. Your joints become rough: Joints move when 2 bones slide across each other.  Normally, there is cartilage that makes for almost perfectly smooth movement.  Over time, the cartilage can develop imperfections big and small.  The surfaces can become rough, brittle, or frayed.  This can lead to many of the cracks, pops, and grinding sounds that we hear when we pay attention to the joints as they move.  This is particularly common in the knees, hips, and shoulders.  Painless noises can be a sign of arthritis.

Most noises in our musculoskeletal system are harmless and painless.  Stretching, strength, and balance exercises may reduce or eliminate muscle- related noises.  You should avoid repetitive cracking of your joints because it can lead to damage.   If you experience a noise or sensation related to body movement that is painful, or causes locking of a joint, or prevents normal function, then you should get it evaluated by an orthopedic specialist.