Techincally the ‘cracking’ or ‘popping’ noise around a joint is known as crepitus, which comes from the Latin word for ‘rattle’.

Joint cracking is often just the escape of air and gas bubbles. Synovial fluid lubricates joints, and this fluid is made up of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. Sometimes when the joint moves, gas is released, and this is when you get the ‘cracking’ or ‘popping’ noise. So the good news is that it is often nothing to be worried about!

However, if you notice that the frequency of this ‘cracking’ has increased it may be a good idea to think about the following factors, and if they are coupled with persistent pain and/or swelling it is always advised to get them checked by a medical professional:

• Injury – Have you had a recent injury that may have caused this?
• Arthritis – Occasionally joint cracking can be related to a more chronic condition, such as arthritis
• Hypermobility – When a joint has a large range of motion, it can also mean it becomes a ‘noisy’ joint.

One of the best ways to avoid cracking and creaking joints is to get up and move around as often as possible. The more you move, the more the body lubricates itself. When you’ve been sitting or lying for a long period of time the fluid in the joints don’t move, so the more active you are the more the joints will lubricate themselves.