Why do my knees and knuckles crack? See if this question can stump Dr. Charlotte Grayson.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
“Hey doc, why do my joints crackle and pop?”
I don’t think anyone knows exactly why our joints go snap, crackle, and pop when we bend them, but II’ll take a crack at an answer.
One theory is that when you bend your joints, the ligament inside snaps and tightens, and the tendon shifts a little, making a popping sound.
Those sounds you hear might also be gas bubbles getting released from the fluid inside the joint. That’s why you can’t crack your knuckles twice in a row. You have to wait for the gas to build up again.
There’s no truth to the notion that cracking your joints will lead to arthritis. And there’s no need to worry if your joints pop sometimes.
But if you make a habit of cracking your knuckles, you could put wear and tear on your joints. And anyone who’s forced to listen to you might eventually snap.