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Joint cracking is the manipulation of joints to produce a sound and related "popping" sensation. It is sometimes performed by physical therapists, chiropractors, and osteopaths [1] pursuing a variety of outcomes. The cracking of joints, especially knuckles, was long believed to lead to arthritis and other joint problems.
In some cases, popping joints may be a symptom of a joint problem. For instance, a person with osteoarthritis may hear their kneecap make a crunchy, crackling or pop-like sound due to cartilage ...
Popping joints can happen involuntarily, and you can experience it in your knees, neck, fingers, wrist or ankles. Or you might have a habit of cracking your joints, such as your knuckles, yourself.
Almost every joint in the body can be 'cracked' in this way, but the joints which require the least amount of force to produce this effect include the hallux (big toes), the knuckles and the neck joints. This phenomenon is caused when the movement of the joint lowers the pressure of its synovial fluid, causing the bubbles to form and burst.
The knee joint is formed by three bones: the femur (thighbone), the tibia (shinbone), and the patella (kneecap). These bones are held together by ligaments, which are strong bands of tissue that keep the joint stable while an individual is walking, running, jumping, etc.
The ankle and foot naturally pronate and supinate by about 5 degrees while walking or running. The red arrows indicate excessive pronation. In general, overuse injuries are the result of repetitive impact between the foot and the ground. With improper running form, the force of the impact can be distributed abnormally throughout the feet and legs.
The ground reaction force creates external moments on the joints of the lower limb. Activation of muscles and other passive connective tissues (e.g., ligaments, tendons) create what is known as internal moments that control joint motions. When a joint motion occurs in the direction of a muscle's action it is concentrically acting.
Tendons and ligaments play an active role in maintaining joint stability and controls the limits of joint movements, once injured tendons and ligaments detrimentally impact motor functions. [2] [8] Continuous exercise or movement of a musculoskeletal injury can result in chronic inflammation with progression to permanent damage or disability. [9]