At some point, we have all cracked our knuckles and joints. Let’s be honest, don’t we all find that sound that accompanies the release of tension in our joints oh so satisfying? But here’s the thing. The sounds themselves aren’t anything to worry about unless they are accompanied by certain symptoms. In such cases, there can be more to it.
Here’s what you need to know.
Why Do ‘Cracked Joints’ Feel So Good?
Medically known as crepitus, these cracking sounds are actually the sound of trapped gases being released from the fluid between our joints as we move around. Nitrogen bubbles in the synovial fluid between our joints build up over time and get released when a joint is used in a certain way, such as reaching up, or bending for a stretch. This will increase in frequency as we get older.
Do you know that endorphins are released in the areas where our joints ‘crack’? These endorphins will ease any pain we experience in our bodies. The tension dissipates when our joints are ‘released’. Perhaps that’s why we find it so satisfying!
Well, it’s all very well unless your cracking joints are accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Swelling
- Pain
- Dull aching around the joint
It can be an indication of the following conditions.
You’ve probably heard of it and may even think of it as an ‘old person’s problem’. It can happen to younger people as well, though it gets worse with age. Arthritis is the condition where our joints become swollen and stiff; and with movement, becomes painful. As we get older, the swelling, stiffness and subsequent pain tends to worsen if left untreated.
The most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis:
- Osteoarthritis is characterised by the breakdown of the hard tissue (cartilage) between your joints.
- Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the lining of your joints get attacked by your own immune system.
In these instances, that ‘satisfying pop sound’ from your joints can actually be due to the movement of damaged cartilage and bone. And not something you should ignore.
Played a game of football with your kids lately? That could explain the popping sensation and pain in your knee. Is the popping causing you pain? What you may be experiencing is a meniscus tear. The meniscus is the piece of cartilage that absorbs pressure between the bones in our knees. This ‘cushioning’ stops our bones from grinding against each other. Unfortunately, this soft cartilage can tear when performing strenuous activities like sports like soccer or basketball. The torn meniscus piece can become stuck in between our joints and impede movement. This can cause a popping noise in the knee, along with pain and swelling.
So don’t ignore the pain and attribute it to getting old! If you’re experiencing such pain, especially after a strenuous activity, it’s best you get it checked. You can make an appointment at Gleneagles Hospital to consult a specialist.
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Some of us perpetually feel an ache in the knees. Oftentimes, we just brush it off and don’t think too much about it. However, it may be Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, also known as 'runners knee'. It refers to a dull pain around our kneecaps. This pain tends to increase with repeated strenuous exercises such as running or stair climbing. The pain can be accompanied by a grating noise in the knee.
There’s no need to suffer in silence. Any pain that is prolonged should be investigated as there’s always a way to resolve it.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Mums and dads, while the occasional ‘pop’ or ‘crack’ in your joints is no cause for concern, any prolonged pain should be investigated. There is no reason for you to suffer in silence. You can make an appointment at Gleneagles Hospital to consult an orthopaedic specialist when in doubt, or if any pain, swelling or discomfort is experienced.
There are many minimally invasive treatments that can improve outcomes while reducing trauma and scarring. These surgical techniques are used to treat common joint conditions as well as spine problems. Computer-navigated surgery allows for control and precision, which is especially critical when it comes to organs that are difficult to access with traditional surgery techniques.
The specialist is likely to put you through an arthroscopy, in which a small incision in the skin near your joint will be made for a thin tube with a tiny video camera attached to the end to be inserted. This enables the surgeon to literally see the inside of your joint by displaying what the camera records on a live video monitor.
Upon getting a good view of your joint, they may then start to treat your condition using very small surgical tools that may be inserted through other small incisions around the joint.
The procedure is generally preferred over open surgery as there will be smaller wounds, which mean a faster healing time and shorter hospital stay.
But most times, joint pain isn’t anything serious, and the sooner you get it diagnosed, the sooner you can sort it out. After all, you want to be healthy and active to enjoy life’s best moments with your precious children. You don’t want to miss all the fun due to these aches and pains which could have been sorted out!
This article was adapted from “Popping Sound in Your Joints?” by Dr Lingaraj Krishna and first published on Health Plus on 21 Jan 2021.