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What Causes Popping Sounds In Knee When I Bend?
Question: This is a question of curiosity....When a joint such as a knee, ankle or wrist makes that "popping" sound when they bend, or when a knuckle "cracks" what exactly is causing that noise? What is going on under the skin that causes such easily heard noises?
Brief Answer:
Noises can occur due to sliding of ligaments and trapped small air bubbles
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in details.
Popping or cracking noises in joints can occur due to physiological or pathological reasons.
Physiological popping or cracking of joints occurs in knees, ankles and wrists due to ligaments and tendons sliding over surface bony prominences. There is friction and this causes the noises.
In the knuckles, there noises can be due to the sliding of ligaments and tendons or due to the trapping of small air bubbles in small joints.
In larger joints cracking noises can also happen due to small fragments and pieces of cartilage and other structures getting caught between bone surfaces at joints. This is likely to be seen in a degenerative process involving joints such as knee.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Noises can occur due to sliding of ligaments and trapped small air bubbles
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in details.
Popping or cracking noises in joints can occur due to physiological or pathological reasons.
Physiological popping or cracking of joints occurs in knees, ankles and wrists due to ligaments and tendons sliding over surface bony prominences. There is friction and this causes the noises.
In the knuckles, there noises can be due to the sliding of ligaments and tendons or due to the trapping of small air bubbles in small joints.
In larger joints cracking noises can also happen due to small fragments and pieces of cartilage and other structures getting caught between bone surfaces at joints. This is likely to be seen in a degenerative process involving joints such as knee.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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