Crepitus is a grinding or clicking sound made when a joint is moved. “It’s a normal sound made when moving joints, similar to popping knuckles,” says Dr. Clint Soppe, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics. As bad as creaky knees sound, medical experts say it’s usually not a cause for concern unless it causes pain.
Creaky joints typically happen in the knees, explains Rebecca Gonzalez, PT, MS, a senior specialist physical therapist at Staten Island University Hospital. However, it can occur in any joint. She has seen crepitus in the shoulders, elbows and neck.
What Causes Crepitus?
The cracking sound comes from tiny air bubbles within the synovial fluid—the lubricating fluid surrounding the joints—popping from pressure changes during the bending or stretching of the joints. “Essentially, the sound is created by the sudden release of gas trapped in the joint space,” Gonzalez says. The action resembles the tiny nitrogen gas bubbles released when you crack your knuckles.
For a majority of cases, crepitus is a non-painful sound. However, there are times when crepitus is a symptom of arthritis. Research shows there is a strong link between crepitus and knee osteoarthritis.
Related: How to Keep Joints Healthy and Fend Off Arthritis
When To See a Doctor About Crepitus
Since crepitus is not a condition, there is no cure for it. There’s also no way to prevent the sound from happening. “It's nothing to worry about, as long as it's not painful and it's not an indication that your joint is degenerating or you're wearing out the cartilage,” Soppe says.
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Sources:
Clint Soppe, MD is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics in California.Rebecca Gonzalez, PT, MS, is a senior specialist physical therapist at Staten Island University Hospital in New York. Read More Details
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