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Try one of these related symptoms.
Crackling joints
Grinding joints
My joints make noise when I move
Squeaking noise when moving joints
Noisy joints
This describes sensation of grinding, creaking or cracking sound or sensation that occurs when moving a joint.
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
Generally, Crackling in joints can be related to:
Wear and tear of the joint cartilage over time. Risk factors include repetitive joint movements and carrying heavy loads for many years.
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
Reviewed By:
Kent C Doan, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr Doan Graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine and completed residency training in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Colorado. He completed additional fellowship training in Orthopedic Sports Medicine at the prestigious Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado. He is a practicing Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in complex and revision knee and shoulder surgery at the Kansas City Orthopedic Institute. He also holds an assistant professorship at the University of Kansas City.
Tomohiro Hamahata, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr. Hamahata graduated from the Jikei University of Medical Science. After working at Asanokawa General Hospital and Kosei Chuo Hospital, he joined the Department of Orthopedics at Asakusa Hospital in April 2021, specializing in general orthopedics and joint replacement surgery.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
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✔ When to see a doctor
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✔︎ Treatment information etc.
Q.
Is it Ehlers-Danlos? Why Your Joints Fail & Medically Approved Steps
A.
There are several factors to consider: Ehlers-Danlos syndromes are genetic collagen disorders that can cause joint hypermobility, instability, chronic pain, and fragile or stretchy skin, but not all flexible joints mean EDS; diagnosis is clinical using history, exam, Beighton scoring, and family history, with genetic testing for some types. See below for specifics and red flags that may change your next steps. Medically approved steps include stability focused physical therapy, activity modification, short term bracing under guidance, multimodal pain care, and lifestyle basics like sleep, hydration, and nutrition, with urgent evaluation for severe chest or abdominal pain or fainting. Important details on what to do next and how to talk with your doctor are outlined below.
References:
* Malfait F, Francomano C, Byers P, Belmont J, Berglund B, Bober LB, Bodian D, Fink C, Grahame V, Hicks J, Horan F, Howard D, Kaplan L, Mitton S, Nazarian I, Paepe A, Rutman T, Smith R, Sullivan B, Tran P, van Maanen A, Wilcox W, Winker L, Zschocke J. The 2017 international classification of the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet. 2017 Mar;175(1):8-26. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31552. Epub 2017 Feb 21. PMID: 28306229.
* Demoulin C, Van den Broeck J, De Wandele I, Zonta A, Portielje S, Moiseev P, Remmelink M, Paepe A, Deconinck H, De Backer T, Van Looveren E, Verdonck L. Pathophysiology and management of articular manifestations in Ehlers-Danlos syndromes. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2020 Jan 20;15(1):21. doi: 10.1186/s13023-019-1296-6. PMID: 31959146; PMCID: PMC6971932.
* Gillam E, Ahmad O, Mahendran S, Lingham S, Davies-Humphreys J, Pepera G, Soden J, Patel A, Lattouf F, Kotecha J, Malouf N, Langford-Smith A. Management of Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS): A Systematic Review. J Clin Med. 2021 Jul 26;10(15):3313. doi: 10.3390/jcm10153313. PMID: 34362077; PMCID: PMC8347898.
* Scheper MC, Engelbert RH, Rameckers EA, Verbunt JA, Remvig L, Juul-Kristensen B. Physical therapy in the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes: A literature review. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet. 2017 Mar;175(1):159-163. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31545. Epub 2017 Feb 21. PMID: 28306223.
* Chopra P, Tinkle B, Hamonet C, Brock I, Gompel A, Bulbena A, Francomano C. Pain Management in the Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet. 2017 Mar;175(1):178-184. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31554. Epub 2017 Feb 21. PMID: 28306230.
Q.
Is That Crack Normal? Why Your Body is Popping and Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Most joint cracks are normal, usually from harmless gas bubbles in joint fluid or tendons briefly snapping over bone, especially when there is no pain, swelling, or loss of motion. See a clinician if a crack follows an injury or comes with pain, swelling, warmth, locking, weakness, or instability, since issues like arthritis, meniscus or ligament tears, or shoulder labral problems might be involved. For medically approved next steps, including safe home care like low impact activity, targeted strengthening, weight management, warm ups, and when imaging or urgent care is warranted, see the complete details below.
References:
* Castellanos, J., & Axelrod, D. (1990). Effect of knuckle cracking on hand joints. *Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases*, *49*(5), 308-309. PMID: 2344238. DOI: 10.1136/ard.49.5.308.
* Deweber, K., Olson, B., & Childs, J. D. (2011). The absence of an association between knuckle cracking and hand osteoarthritis. *Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine*, *24*(3), 299-304. PMID: 21551351. DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2011.03.100156.
* Kawchuk, G. N., Fryer, C., Jaremko, J. L., Zeng, H., Rowe, L., & Thompson, R. (2015). What makes a knuckle crack? A study of metacarpophalangeal joint distraction. *PLoS One*, *10*(4), e0119470. PMID: 25945821. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119470.
* Song, Y., Murata, N., Koga, Y., Takahashi, C., Ikawa, H., & Ohta, M. (2021). Joint Crepitus: A Comprehensive Review. *Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research*, *479*(10), 2244-2253. PMID: 34185122. DOI: 10.1007/s11999-021-08573-0.
* Teichtahl, A. J., Eyles, J. P., Urquhart, D. M., Wluka, A. E., & Cicuttini, F. M. (2016). The clinical significance of crepitus in the knee. *Clinical Rheumatology*, *35*(11), 2639-2642. PMID: 26279148. DOI: 10.1007/s10067-015-3051-8.
Q.
Always Hurting? Why Your Joints Are Unstable: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Symptoms & Medical Next Steps
A.
Chronic joint pain, instability, and clicking can point to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a genetic collagen disorder marked by hypermobile joints, recurrent dislocations, soft or fragile skin, and fatigue. Next steps include tracking symptoms, seeing a clinician for hEDS assessment using history and a Beighton score, possible referrals to rheumatology or genetics, and starting stability-focused physical therapy and joint protection, with urgent care for sudden chest or abdominal pain; there are several factors to consider, and important details that could change your plan are explained below.
References:
* Malfait F, Francomano C, Byers P, Belmont B, Castori M, Cohen H, et al. The 2017 international classification of the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet. 2017 Mar;175(1):8-26. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31552. PMID: 28178129.
* Tinkle B, Castori M, Berglund B, Cohen H, Fahim R, Grahame F, et al. Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS): Clinical Description and Natural History. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet. 2017 Mar;175(1):48-69. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31539. PMID: 28160017.
* Castori M, Tinkle B, Levy H, Grahame R, Malfait F, Hakim A. A framework for the classification of joint hypermobility and related conditions. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet. 2017 Mar;175(1):148-157. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31533. PMID: 28160003.
* Malfait F, Castori M, Francomano CA, Giunta C, Bascom PT, Kaplan F, et al. The Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet. 2021 Mar;187(1):15-23. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31885. Epub 2021 Mar 10. PMID: 33694085.
* Chopra P, Tinkle B, Hamonet C, Brock I, Gompel A, Bulbena A, et al. Pain Management in the Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet. 2017 Mar;175(1):212-219. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31551. PMID: 28387229.
Q.
65+ Is cracking your back bad for you?
A.
There are several factors to consider. For most healthy adults, occasional gentle back cracking is unlikely to cause harm and the popping sound itself does not cause arthritis, but technique, frequency, and your underlying health matter, so see below to understand more. Adults over 65 or anyone with osteoporosis, arthritis, prior spine surgery, or new numbness, tingling, weakness, or radiating pain should avoid self-cracking and speak with a clinician; professional spinal manipulation and exercise-based care may be safer options, and key risks, red flags, and safer alternatives are explained below.
References:
Rubinstein SM, van Middelkoop M, Assendelft WJJ, de Boer MR, van Tulder MW. (2017). Spinal manipulative therapy for acute low-back pain: an update of the Cochrane review. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, CD008880. 28137834.
Kamath PS, & Wiesner RH. (2001). A model to predict survival in patients with end-stage liver disease. Hepatology, 11157951.
Castera L, Forns X, & Alberti A. (2008). Non-invasive evaluation of liver fibrosis using transient elastography. Journal of Hepatology, 18304314.
Q.
Injury free: How to do single leg hip thrust safely according to doctors
A.
Doctor approved steps to do single leg hip thrusts safely: warm up, set your upper back on a bench, plant one heel with the knee near 90 degrees, brace your core to keep a neutral spine and hips level, drive through the heel to lift and squeeze at the top, then lower slowly and with control for 8 to 12 reps per leg and 3 to 4 sets. There are several factors to consider, including common mistakes to avoid, how to progress load no more than 10 percent per week, recovery timing, and red flags like sharp or persistent pain, numbness, or swelling that should prompt medical advice; see below for complete details that could shape your next training and healthcare steps.
References:
Lauersen JB, Bertelsen DM, & Andersen LB. (2014). The effectiveness of exercise interventions to prevent sports injur… Br J Sports Med, 24623828.
Wai CT, Greenson JK, Fontana RJ, et al. (2003). A simple noninvasive index can predict both significant fibrosi… Hepatology, 12724679.
Foucher J, Chanteloup E, Vergniol J, et al. (2006). Diagnosis of cirrhosis by transient elastography (FibroScan): a prospective study. Hepatology, 17105338.
Q.
Is cracking your back bad for you?
A.
Gently and infrequently cracking your back is generally safe and can provide short-term relief, but doing it often or forcefully can irritate joints, increase laxity, and sometimes hide underlying issues; rare serious complications are mostly tied to high-velocity manipulations, particularly in the neck. There are several factors to consider, including red flags like worsening pain, numbness, weakness, or bladder and bowel changes, and conditions like osteoporosis; see below for safer alternatives, when to seek care, and how professional treatment differs.
References:
Carnes D, Mars TS, Mullinger B, Froud R, Underwood M. (2010). Serious adverse events associated with spinal manipulation: a systematic… BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 21143853.
de Franchis R, Dell'Era A. (2007). Non-invasive diagnosis of cirrhosis and the natural… Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol, 17223493.
Kamath PS, Wiesner RH. (2001). A model to predict survival in patients with end-stage… Hepatology, 11157951.
Q.
Why does my upper back hurt when i cough?
A.
There are several factors to consider. Upper back pain with coughing is often from muscle strain or intercostal inflammation, but infections like bronchitis or pneumonia and pleurisy, thoracic spine problems, and rare heart or abdominal causes can also be involved. See below to understand more, including red flags like fever, shortness of breath, chest tightness, or neurological symptoms that mean you should seek care promptly, plus practical steps you can try at home such as posture changes, OTC anti-inflammatories, heat, gentle exercises, and cough control.
References:
Irwin RS, Baumann MH, Bolser DC, et al. (2006). Chronic cough: ACCP evidence-based clinical practic… Chest, 16840375.
Castera L, Foucher J, Bernard PH, et al. (2005). Non-invasive evaluation of liver fibrosis by transient el… J Hepatol, 15840306.
Kim WR, Biggins SW, Kremers WK, et al. (2008). Hyponatremia and mortality in patients with cirrhosis… Hepatology, 18376452.
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