Bowling Green, MO - We have all heard a pop or crack within a variety of joints in our body. Some people will feel joint discomfort all over their body - whether it be a creaky knee or a stubborn shoulder which pops and cracks. It may be of interest to those who experience joint discomfort to understand its causes and if it is something to be concerned about.
There are several theories that explain the audible pop when you twist your neck or when you stretch you back and you feel a click. The first theory is that there is a build up of joint pressure or gas within the synovial fluid (joint lubricant) that is released when the joint pops. The second is that there is a quick mechanical gapping or increase of space within the joint when the pop occurs.
Why does it seem to provide relief from pain or feel good to pop these joints? The first and obvious reason is the mechanical effect when a joint seems to stick or get stiff and this pop can release the joint. The releasing of the joint helps in restoration of normal movement. Joints can become stiff due to cartilage problems, loss of joint fluid, and or a disruption of the joint positioning. Another reason for relief is the neurophysiologic (nerve/muscle) effect which is due to the quick stretch to the tense muscle surrounding the joint. In this case after the quick stretch the muscle relaxes and pain decreases allowing greater motion.
Other types of popping involve the fingers, shoulders, knees and a variety of other areas. Popping the knuckles is believed to be caused by the release of gas in the joint fluid which is primarily carbon dioxide. It has been stated that habitual popping of the knuckles can lead to arthritis. While there is no proof of this side effect, there is evidence of decreased grip strength and joint swelling.
When the knee’s pop there are commonly two sources: one is under the knee cap and the other is deep within the knee. When you feel clicking or grinding under the knee cap it rarely is serious. In most cases this is simply cartilage rubbing against cartilage. If this happens too often it can lead to some irritation called patella-femoral pain. This patella-femoral pain is noticed doing deep knee bends while getting up out of a chair or climbing stairs. The second source of popping, which is deep in the joint, can be a sign of arthritis in the elderly or in the younger individual signs of cartilage or meniscus injury. In this case, the joint is unable to glide in a normal fashion and it may need some form of intervention.
The final and most noticed area of clicking, grinding or popping is in the shoulder. The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body and can move in every plane of motion. A light clicking when reaching overhead is usually harm less and is often due to rubbing as tendons slide over bone with movement. A stronger pop that can be heard is often time’s a tendon or a bursa rubbing over bone but in this case there is usually more inflammation that causes structures to be positioned differently or more sensitive causing some form of pain. The greatest problem comes from a clunk or a feeling of the joint truly slipping while you move it, in this case there may be damage to the labrum (cartilage) or the joint may be loose. Most of these sounds are normal but when they become painful it may be a sign that the rotator cuff has gotten weak or there may be more involved problems.
If you are experiencing joint discomfort, call HannibalRegionalHospital’s Bowling Green Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine at 573-324-6079.