Many of us have noisy joints. Knees crack on the stairs, necks pop when we stretch, and knuckles seem to crack almost on ...

Roshini Raj, MD, is Health's former magazine's medical editor and coauthor of What the Yuck?!. Board-certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine, Dr. Raj is a Clinical Associate Professor of ...

Whether it’s one or all of your knuckles, you may wonder what causes the cracking sound. Although interesting, “cracking joints” and “popping knuckles” are not fully understood. In fact, cracking ...

If snap, crackle, and pop aren’t just sounds coming from your breakfast cereal, you may have wondered if these cracking noises you hear from your joints (ankles, shoulders, or knees) are normal.

It’s quite common to hear your knees crack when you stand up or your knuckles pop as you stretch your fingers. These sounds, often described as snapping, clicking, or popping, are medically known as ...

Cracking sounds on your joints can definitely sound—if not feel—alarming. It's probably happened to all of us, though, whether from cracking knuckles on purpose or just hearing popping sounds when ...

Occasionally cracking your knuckles or other joints is very common and usually not harmful. If it is accompanied by pain or swelling or follows an injury, it may be caused by an underlying condition.

We have all done it—cracked our knuckles, twisted our neck, or popped a shoulder just for that oddly satisfying click. And chances are, someone nearby immediately gasped, “Stop that! You’ll get ...

Most causes of joint cracking and popping aren't serious or painful. Joint cracking has not been shown to cause arthritis. Regular exercise helps keep muscles strong and supports joints. Usually, ...

We've all heard the theory that cracking your knuckles can cause arthritis. Generations of parents warn click-prone children that their habit will land them with painful hands in old age. But while ...

Joint noises are common and often misunderstood. A physiotherapist explains why they happen and what they do, and do not, ...

From fingers and toes to necks and knees, everyone knows a “cracker.” Up to 45% of people do it. And most habitual joint poppers have heard rumors their habit may cause arthritis. But are those rumors ...