Do all joints crack

A few days of rest or a sling or cast may help with healing. The release of gas can also cause joint crackling. Joints include synovial fluid, which lubricates them. The fluid has oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen. When the capsule of the joint stretches, the gas moves out, causing the popping sound. Some people think it feels good to pop or crack a joint, as it gives a bit of relief to a tight area.

It can happen when a tendon snaps over a bone. You may have bony prominences that make these snaps more frequent. But occasionally, repeated joint crackling does indicate a more serious issue. You may have a cartilage tear or arthritis, which can lead cartilage to degenerate. When you have less cartilage, your bones are more likely to rub together, which causes the sound. Cracking joints like knuckles is harmless. I am talking about the violent cranking.

When you crack your neck and back, it often feels good afterwards, especially if there was a great deal of tension or pain prior. The reason it feels good is because pressure is being relieved. Just as when any of your joints crack, gases are being released from within the synovial membranes. This release can cause a temporary relief of pressure or pain.

In most cases though, the pressure or pain will return. Many people can forcibly crack their joints, even their neck and back. In some cases, such as when performing stretching or yoga exercises, natural movement may also cause cracking. You might also visit a chiropractor who will crack your neck and back through a series of manipulations. Eventually, joint fluid rushes into the areas of low pressure and the larger bubbles collapse, or pop, producing that familiar sound.

In , a group of researchers from Canada used magnetic resonance imaging MRI to investigate the mechanisms of knuckle cracking. They concluded knuckle cracking occurs as a result of formation of space in the synovial fluid in the form of bubbles, rather than the collapse of the bubbles due to synovial fluid rapidly filling the space, debunking the previously held notion.

Donald L. Unger was a medical doctor who was curious about the long-term effects of knuckle cracking, so he cracked the knuckles of one hand only for 60 years. He found there was no difference in the amount of arthritis between his hands at the end of this time. There has been some formal research on the topic. An early paper from found cracking the knuckles over a long period was associated with swelling and reduced grip strength in some people.

A study assessed radiographs of people aged 50 to 89 years according to the frequency of their knuckle-cracking behaviour. Again, the prevalence of osteoarthritis of the hands was similar between people who cracked their knuckles often and those who did so rarely.

To quote a study on habitual knuckle cracking:. The chief morbid consequence of knuckle cracking would appear to be its annoying effect on the observer. This article was originally published on The Conversation and republished here with permission. Read the original article. The Conversation is an independent, not-for-profit media outlet that uses content sourced from the academic and research community.