Bones/Joints cracking?
441700
"Cracking Down on Knuckles\n\nYou've all heard the story that cracking your knuckles will cause arthritis. Maybe your mom can't stand that "popping" noise and that's why she tells you knuckle cracking will damage your finger joints. Kidzworld did some digging around to find out what makes that "popping" noise and if it causes arthritis. Here's what we found out. \n\nThe Real Deal on Cracking Your Kuckles\nWhat's really happening when you "crack" your knuckles is that you are either pushing the joint back into or out of its normal position. Joints are the meeting points of two separate bones which are held together by connecting tissues and ligaments. A thick, clear lubricant (made mostly of carbon dioxide and some nitrogen) called synovial fluid is found between the bones. When you stretch or pull your finger to get that desired popping noise, you are causing the bones to pull apart. Pressure is reduced on the synovial fluid and bubbles form that quickly expand and then burst - which is why you get that noise. \n\nDoes Knuckle Cracking Lead to Arthritis?\nNot everybody's joints crack. Some people have a larger separation between the bones and some people can't relax enough to allow the bones to separate. If you can crack and your mom tells you, you're going to get arthritis, she's just yanking your chain. There is no scientific evidence that cracking your knuckles leads to arthritis. However, it can't be good to repeatedly push a joint beyond its normal physical range. Besides that, it's annoying. Cracking your knuckles can cause a decrease in your grip but unless you're signing any multi-million dollar contracts as a pitcher, it's not worth giving up. But it's still annoying."
197987
Just like when you crack your knuckles, its the gasses being released in the joint.  \n\nThe "cracking" won't cause arthritis unless if you continue to "crack" it (the vertebrae) out of line.  \n\nWhat's most likely happening is you have a vertebrae out of line and locked, it becomes uncomfortable or stiff.  In order to get the release, you crack the neck on your own. \n\n When it's not done right, by a professional, you end up cracking the wrong vertebrae (one that is loose because it's compensating for the locked one).  It eases the tension temporarily, but makes the problem worse in the long run.\n\nIf the locked vertebrae isn't aligned correctly, it will lead to arthritis (sort of like when your tires wear out when the car is out of alignment).  \n\nIt's not the cracking that's harmful, but cracking the wrong vertebrae or not aligning it correctly.  Only a professional with proper training will know how it needs to be corrected since the vertebrae can misalign many different ways.
454635
I spoke to a Dr. recently about this and he gave me am article about it............NO it is not it is an old myth, about arthritis and knuckles getting larger, the cracking sound that is heard is only gasses in the joint and by cracking them it just releases the gas...and then when the gas refills the joint it can be popped again
665822
cracking your knuckles doesnt do jack sh*t to cause arthritis.  my grandmother cracked her knuckles for years and her hands were tiny and her fingers were slim..no arthritis.  i have been cracking mine for over 10 years and my hands are the same way.
833790
I would use an interval of both heat and ice. \n\nDo you drink alot of water? believe it or not simple things like that have an effect on your joints. \n\nAlso-- if your super active there is a large possibility that you aren't getting enough calcium. I suggest getting a bone density test taken. And look into a pharmacutical grade calcium supplement. Being supper active causes the lactic acid build up from your muscles to harm your bones, tendons and ligements. To make sure they stay healthy- a calcium supplements is very important.
823657
Yes, go to the doctor and get an x-ray.  Sounds like you have a small fracture but you won't know for sure until you get that x-ray.  You don't want to keep re-injuring it.
1025281
if you crack your knuckles often enough, you can end up with swollen ligaments.\n\nA study looked at 300 people who had been cracking knuckle joints for 35 years. They had slightly swollen joints (which is no big deal). But the real surprise was that their hands were weaker - their grip strength was one quarter as strong as it should been!\n\nIt does NOT cause arthritis. In fact, it's not dangerous at all, said Dr. Jonathan Kay, clinical director of the rheumatology unit at Massachusetts General Hospital.\n"The cracking sound you hear when you pull on your fingers is caused by the release of negative pressure within the joint," he said. Inside every joint in the body, a gooey substance called synovial fluid coats the surfaces of cartilage to protect them. Just as two discs coated with mineral oil stick together and can only be pulled apart with a bit of force, so it is inside the joint. When you pull, you break the vacuum seal created by the synovial fluid and the breaking of that seal causes the popping sound -- from the bursting of bubbles of gases dissolved in the fluid.\nCuriously, it takes about 20 minutes for the seal to re-establish itself. So crack your knuckles all you want. You might stretch a few ligaments, but you will not give yourself arthritis. But it'll be no fun unless you wait 20 minutes between cracks.
926205
Id agree with seeing a physical therapist which i am or a doctor doc would be better to see first. being your not having any pain it cant be cartiliage it could be a bone chip or  osteroposis but id believe that if your knee is snapping youd either be in pain or be heavily swollen. if you dont want to see the dr. right away id suggest doing some stretches because it may also be fluid in the knee. stretching would eliminate that problem for the most part.
589166
Ligaments snapping over prominences on the bone. Think of plucking a guitar string. Or air bubbles popping in the fluid filled sacs around joints. This is the classic knuckle cracking sound.
1052151
Is there any? Maybe hormones in young years.. I don't know. Heard of this bone-stretching method, but it sounds pretty painful. Talk to your doc.
1160802
the bones get old,  kinda like a rusty wheel without oil [we creak and crack] we loose joint  fluid....   and the bones get spurs.\nplus the joint become inflamed.. in other words we start falling apart
55621
Yes, sometimes they have to use a ligament from a dead person to fix.  Fotunately, it is much more commonplace now.  Be sure to see a sports doctor.  They have a lot more experience in fixing joints.
507188
it actually is bad.our bone joints contain a fluid.we hear the pop sound when the air bubbles in that fluid burst.this facilitates the depletion process of the fluid causing brittle bones and other ortho problems.apart from this it is also against etiquette
753881
probably a question for an MD, but it could be a decrease in the amount of cartilage that you have between your bones.  the crackling may result from a decease in this cushion, allowing the bones to rub together, giving a crackling sound.
270058
sounds like arthritis . . .I have it myself in most of my joints.  Advil, regular walking, a knee brace and will power.  That's all you can do really.
937740
it's probably not osteoporosis, it's probably Scoliosis. Which is very common, go see your pediatrician
61582
askin the doctor is a good idea but i also play the guitar and have broken knuckles and moderate arthritis  i usally just streach my fingers and keep them warm. also take just reg asprin  but thats just me (stop cracking you knuckles) even though it seems to help them form hurting when you play its temp.   pEACE