• Arthritis

Why Do Joints Pop and What Can You Do About it?

Medically reviewed and edited by Taryn Facella-Scheuer, ANP-C

Have you ever wondered why your joints make those popping, cracking, or clicking sounds? Whether it's your knees, fingers, or hips, these mysterious noises can leave you curious — or concerned.

Noisy joints that pop or crack are often harmless, but if joint popping is accompanied by pain, inflammation, or swelling, it may signal an underlying condition.

In this article, we’ll explore the causes behind the clicking, explain when it's harmless, and discuss when it might signal something more serious.

Why Do Joints Crack?

There are several reasons why your joints may produce unusual sounds, like popping, cracking, grinding, or even clunking. 

These joint cracking noises aren’t always a sign of something serious or an issue within the joint, as various factors can cause joint popping or cracking.

Crepitus, for example, occurs when a joint makes a soft, crunching sound during movement, often caused by loose cartilage fragments shifting around in the joint. 

Depending on the severity, this sound can range from barely noticeable to quite loud. 

Although the noise made by cracking joints can be unnerving, unless it’s accompanied by pain or restricts your movement, there’s usually no need for concern or treatment.

Which joints are prone to cracking?

While certain joints aren’t necessarily more prone to making popping or clicking sounds, arthritis-related clicks are more common in larger, weight-bearing joints like the hips and knees. 

This is often due to the natural wear and tear of daily life and doesn’t typically require treatment.

What Causes Cracking Joints?

If you're unsure of what's causing that popping sound in your joint, we've outlined the most common reasons for joint noises below:

Gas bubbles in the joint

Gas naturally builds up inside our joints and forms small bubbles, creating a feeling of tension. 

When you crack a joint – such as your knuckle – you're releasing that tension by bursting these bubbles — which are made of gasses like carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and oxygen — to produce that distinctive popping sound. 

This typically occurs in small joints, such as those in the fingers, toes, and hands. Knuckle cracking is especially common, and some people even enjoy cracking their backs or necks. 

The presence of gas bubbles in the joints is perfectly normal and doesn’t lead to pain or injury.

Joint misalignment

Joint misalignment can lead to various sounds and sensations in the body, and this can be caused by different factors. Below are common reasons why joint misalignment may result in clicking, popping, or clunking sounds during movement.

Connective tissue movement

In many cases, the joint noises associated with misalignment are due to the movement of connective tissue — such as tendons, ligaments, cartilage, or the meniscus — over the joints. 

While most joints can click in a similar way, larger, weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips may produce more of a clunking sound. 

This occurs because the thicker tissues, such as the meniscus in the knee and the labrum in the hip, are involved. 

When these tissues become injured or damaged, the problem is often more serious and should be addressed by a healthcare provider.

Previous injuries

Past injuries to a joint can also lead to misalignment, causing the surrounding tendons and ligaments to shift slightly from their normal path. 

This displacement can lead to clicking or popping sounds as the tissue glides over the joint during movement. 

While these sounds can be harmless, if they are accompanied by pain or restricted movement, seek medical advice.

Arthritis

A clicking sound in the joint may be an early sign of osteoarthritis. 

Since osteoarthritis is a mechanical issue involving joint and cartilage degeneration, the clicking might initially seem harmless but can gradually worsen, eventually leading to inflammation and pain. 

Inflammation of tendons and ligaments can also produce clicking sounds in the joint. However, if the clicking is not accompanied by pain, it is generally not a cause for concern.

Medication and lifestyle changes, like losing weight and avoiding high-impact activities, are combined with physical therapy to manage this condition. Knee replacement surgery may be considered in severe cases.

Plica syndrome

Plica syndrome is a condition commonly diagnosed in young children, as it stems from a birth-related issue. 

It often becomes noticeable after a child increases physical activity, such as running, jumping, or starting a new sport. 

The condition involves the synovial membrane (a thin tissue that lines the joint and produces synovial fluid, which lubricates and nourishes the joint) in the knee. 

While it’s not a serious condition, it can cause knee pain or irritation that can be effectively managed with medication and physical therapy. Surgical interventions are rarely required.

Runner’s knee or patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS)

Patellofemoral pain syndrome arises when excessive tension and friction develop between the patellar tendon and the knee joint, often due to improper movement of the kneecap during knee motion. 

This misalignment causes clicking at the front of the knee, and over time, the ongoing strain can lead to joint pain, inflammation, and discomfort.

Most cases of runner’s knee can be effectively treated with physical therapy, medication, rest, and supportive footwear. However, if these methods fail to alleviate chronic pain, surgery may be considered.

Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS)

The iliotibial (IT) band is a long, durable tendon that extends from the side of the hip down to the outer knee. 

When placed under excessive tension, often from overuse or repetitive strain, the IT band can painfully snap over the outer knee joint, causing clicking and significant pain. 

This condition, known as IT band syndrome, is particularly common in runners and accounts for 5-14% of reported outer knee injuries.

ITBS is typically treated with medication for pain relief and physical therapy sessions designed to alleviate tightness, build strength, and correct your walking or running gait.

Dancer’s hip or snapping hip syndrome (coxa saltans)

Snapping hip syndrome occurs when a tendon near the hip rapidly moves over a joint, creating a popping or snapping sound. It most commonly involves the tendon of the hip flexor muscle, known as the iliopsoas. 

This condition is more prevalent in women than men and affects approximately 10% of the population.

In most cases, dancer’s hip is not serious, but it can lead to bursitis, which is the inflammation of a small fluid-filled sac that cushions the bones, tendons, muscles, and skin near the joints.

How Do I Stop My Joints from Popping?

The popping in your joints, as previously mentioned, isn't the problem itself but rather a symptom of an underlying issue. 

Typically, joint problems related to the structures within, such as when bones rub together, can only be corrected through surgery. 

However, popping alone doesn't warrant further treatment, as any surgical procedure carries risks, including the potential to worsen the joint's functionality. 

When considering whether to address the popping, it’s important to think about healthcare holistically — treatment should improve your overall health. There’s no benefit in performing surgery that may cause more harm than good. 

Most people find ways to manage these symptoms or adjust their habits instead of undergoing surgery. They often look for other pain relief options to avoid the risk of long-term complications.

How to Manage Clicking and Popping Joints 

Physical therapy

Physical therapy can help manage symptoms related to clicking joints, especially when conditions like osteoarthritis cause pain and inflammation. 

A physical therapist can assist by:

• Strengthening surrounding structures: Strengthening muscles, tendons, and ligaments around the joint reduces strain and offers better support.

• Using assistive devices: For lower limb joints, a walking aid (cane or crutch) can help relieve pressure on the joint.

• Maintaining range of motion: Staying active with basic exercises or in a heated pool helps keep joints flexible, with the heat easing pain and water buoyancy reducing joint stress.

• Engaging in low-impact activities: Low-impact sports like swimming or cycling can protect the joint while keeping it functional.

• Creating a joint-friendly environment: Adjusting your home and workspace can encourage safe, joint-protective movements in everyday tasks.

How to treat more serious conditions

When physical therapy and lifestyle adjustments can’t resolve your joint clicking and alleviate pain, your doctor may suggest medical or surgical interventions.  

Medication 

• Steroid injections: These involve directly injecting medication into a painful or inflamed joint. Examples include prednisone (Deltasone), betamethasone (Celestone Soluspan), and methylprednisolone (Medrol)

• Over-the-counter (OTC) medication: Painkillers like acetaminophen (Tylenol), and aspirin can help with pain relief 

• Prescription medication: Opioids like tramadol (Ultram), hydrocodone (Vicodin) and oxycodone (OxyContin) are used for more severe pain

Surgery 

As cartilage wears down due to injury, inflammation, or joint degeneration, surgery may be required to restore function and alleviate pain.

• Joint replacements: This involves removing the damaged joint and replacing it with a prosthetic joint, offering long-term relief from severe joint issues.

• Arthroplasty: Also known as joint resurfacing, this procedure smooths out joint surfaces to restore function and reduce pain.

• Debridement: This is a surgical procedure that removes excess tissue or debris from the joint, helping to alleviate discomfort and improve joint function.

When Should You See a Doctor for Cracking Joints?

It's important to consult a healthcare provider if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Pain accompanied by joint cracking

• Lack of relief from over-the-counter medication

• Stiffness, swelling, or warmth in the joint

• Joint pain that limits your ability to perform daily activities

Where Can You Learn More About Popping Joints and Bone Health?

The popping in your knee might be causing you mild irritation, but if it’s accompanied by pain or stiffness that affects your ability to carry out daily tasks, LifeMD can help.

A team of healthcare professionals can offer expert advice on managing e pain and provide the necessary prescriptions to help you get the medication you need to feel better.

Make your appointment today to take control of your health — all from the comfort of your own home.

Taryn Facella-Scheuer, ANP-C

Taryn earned her Bachelor’s in Nursing from Rutgers University, her Master’s in Nursing from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and her Master’s in Adult Gerontology Critical Care from the University of Pennsylvania. She has provided care to a wide array of patients across various healthcare settings. Fitness is Taryn’s passion. She weight lifts and runs regularly, and she also enjoys cooking and traveling.

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