Why Do My Joints Make Noise?

Wondering why your joints are so noisy? Whether you’re a habitual knuckle-cracker or your joints pop on their own accord, it's important to know what's causing your joints to make noise - and when it's time to be alarmed.

"It's normal for joints to make cracking and popping sounds from time to time," said Thomas Magill, MD, a La Porte orthopedic surgeon with Franciscan Physician Network. "It's nothing to be concerned about if it's not painful."

However, if your noisy joints cause a burst of pain each time they crack or pop, it's time to talk with a doctor. Dull aching after joint pops can also mean that something is wrong.

What Causes Painful Noisy Joints?

Knuckles, ankles, knees, and even hips and shoulder joints can all be noisy on occasion. It can happen whether you're waking up, working out, or even stretching as you stand up. Natural-occurring nitrogen gas bubbles in your joints that pop causes a loud cracking noise. It might be startling, but it's often perfectly natural.

When your joints pop or crack with accompanying pain, arthritis is the most common cause. Arthritis is a condition in which the cartilage covering the ends of the bones begins to wear away, exposing the bare bone underneath the cartilage. The bare bone causes a painful grinding sensation and can even lead to "bone on bone" degeneration.

“Cartilage is smooth and slippery, like ice,” said Dr. Magill. "Its loss leads to rough patches which affect how the joint moves, causing unsettling cracks, stiffness, weakness and pain."

According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, almost 25% of all adults - 58.5 million people - have arthritis. The older you get, the more likely you are to have arthritis in your joints. Managing arthritis early with lifestyle changes will help protect your joints.

Another common cause for a painful and noisy knee joint is an injured meniscus, which is a piece of stabilizing cartilage in your knee. If your meniscus tears, it will move in and out of place, causing a painful popping sensation. The meniscus gets weaker as you get older, so while a meniscus tear can happen at any age, it is most common in adults 65 and older.

We're here to help with each creak, pop, and crack. And our goal is to be your orthopedic partner to help you maintain joint health and maximize your active lifestyle.

"Just because you are seeing an orthopedic surgeon does not mean surgery is always your only option. There are many non-operative and operative treatments available," said Dr. Magill. "I like to discuss all the treatment options with my patients and then work together to come up with a treatment plan based on their symptoms, lifestyle, and goals."

5 Ways To Avoid Noisy Joints

Is there a way to avoid noisy joint pops? Not entirely; however, there are ways to reduce inflammation and increase synovial fluid, which acts as a lubricant in your joints. When the synovial fluid is low, your joints have more friction - and are more likely to crack and pop.

“In some ways, your body is a machine that, like any other machine, needs maintenance,” said Dr. Magill. "Caring for it will make it function better and last longer."

Here are 5 tips to help avoid noisy joints:

1. Stay hydrated

Drink half of your body weight in ounces of water each day.

2. Manage and maintain a healthy weight

Extra weight adds extra stress to your joints.

3. Eat a nutrient-rich diet

Focus on foods with antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids and protein.

4. Get regular cardiovascular exercise

Improve your heart health and circulation.

5. Stay active

Yoga, gentle stretching, and other low-impact activities like walking are great ways to get moving.

If your joints are noisy but not causing pain, mention it to your physician at your next well visit. They might recommend additional vitamins or supplements to boost your joint health or refer you to an orthopedic specialist.