Pop that Knuckle, Crack that Joint
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What causes the noise when you crack a joint?
Your joints can make a variety of sounds: popping, cracking, grinding, and snapping. The joints that "crack" are the knuckles, knees, ankles, back, and neck. There are different reasons why these joints "sound off".
* Escaping gases: Scientists explain that synovial fluid present in your joints acts as a lubricant. The fluid contains the gases oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. When you pop or crack a joint, you stretch the joint capsule. Gas is rapidly released, which forms bubbles. In order to crack the same knuckle again, you have to wait until the gases return to the synovial fluid.
A Healthy Joint. In a healthy joint, the bones are encased in smooth cartilage. Together, they are protected by a joint capsule lined with a synovial membrane that produces synovial fluid. The capsule and fluid protect the cartilage, muscles and connective tissues.
* Movement of joints, tendons and ligaments: When a joint moves, the tendonÂ’s position changes and moves slightly out of place. You may hear a snapping sound as the tendon returns to its original position. In addition, your ligaments may tighten as you move your joints. This commonly occurs in your knee or ankle, and can make a cracking sound.
* Rough surfaces: Arthritic joints make sounds caused by the loss of smooth cartilage and the roughness of the joint surface.
An Osteoarthritic Joint. With osteoarthritis, the cartilage becomes worn away. Spurs grow out from the edge of the bone, and synovial fluid increases. Altogether, the joint feels stiff and sore.
Is joint cracking harmful? If you are feeling pain when your joints pop, than you should seek a health care professional. In terms of knuckle cracking, some studies show that knuckle cracking does not cause serious harm. Other studies show that repetitive knuckle cracking can do some damage to the soft tissue of the joint. It may also lead to a weak grip and a swelling hand.
(source: Library of Congress)
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given that some of my joints pop and crack involuntarily, i'm doomed
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sound horrible....
lucky i dont make much noises. -
I can crack alot..but its a nice feeling..muscles feels much more relax after cracking..
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I was reading about this in an Aussie mag yesterday & wondered if I should post the info here! Now I don't have to type it all out thanks to the Bear 
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i tot is bones fitting into place all along....yes, i am 24 and its after 2 decades dat i know....
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I always knew that popping and cracking your joints are NOT good!
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yeap, read this off from reader digest last time, but they didnt say harmful or not
but been doing this almost every day, feel better after doing it... -
even my neck cracks .......
is my head going to fall off?
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yar..i do carack my neck...my hands n knuckles...aft doin dat, me actually feel refresh...
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but i anyhow move also will have cracking sounds leh like i punch out my hands or flex my fingers and move my head how arh?
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nice stuff, im learning this chapter in my human anatomy class now, fibrous joints, cartilaginous joints and synovial joints =D
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Hey, you're taking anatomy? Which course are you in now?Originally posted by coffeeortea:nice stuff, im learning this chapter in my human anatomy class now, fibrous joints, cartilaginous joints and synovial joints =D
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Originally posted by InnoHippo:even my neck cracks .......
is my head going to fall off?
Nope, your head won't fall off!
BUT, running right through your spinal column, are major nerves, and if you are not careful, and you jerk too hard too suddenly, you might cause some sorta nerve damage. Then, depending on which nerve you've injured, and the severity of the damage, there'll be consequences.
So, I won't recommend cracking your neck. The docs will advise you against doing that too. -
hmm...me lastn time crack a quick 1 for my neck...nw, me jus till it left n right....already gt sound le...Originally posted by Rhonda:
Nope, your head won't fall off!
BUT, running right through your spinal column, are major nerves, and if you are not careful, and you jerk too hard too suddenly, you might cause some sorta nerve damage. Then, depending on which nerve you've injured, and the severity of the damage, there'll be consequences.
So, I won't recommend cracking your neck. The docs will advise you against doing that too. -
question here..why is it more so in cold environment e.g. air-conditioned place?
or is it just me... -
But all my joints are on auto crack...
I stand up my legs just crack,
I stretch my hands and everything also crack..
Don't get me paranoid leh -
you sound like me.. literallyOriginally posted by mistyblue:But all my joints are on auto crack...
I stand up my legs just crack,
I stretch my hands and everything also crack..
Don't get me paranoid leh -
same here...so tt make us crackers?Originally posted by mistyblue:But all my joints are on auto crack...
I stand up my legs just crack,
I stretch my hands and everything also crack..
Don't get me paranoid leh -
Its irritating.. feels like old person liao.. And its true some joints do feel painOriginally posted by the Bear:you sound like me.. literally
I am used to the noise ... I cannot be a spy loh... -
rheumatism is it?Originally posted by Rhonda:I always knew that popping and cracking your joints are NOT good! -
yah...its is a sign of...old age is coming soon....Originally posted by kaobeikaobu:rheumatism is it? -
jialat before serious games i always crack my neck..
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err... ppl say crack knucles no good, fingers wil bec "thick".... not nice for ladies....
i crack my knucles all the time! my rationale: i can change to a bigger diamond ring!!! -
suddenly rem 'your hand bigger than your face' trick...hmmm
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Oops. I thought this was the Oktoberfest thread. eheh.