Cracking joints: myth or reality?
It’s common to hear cracking noises when performing certain everyday movements. But where do they come from? Why are some of them spontaneous, while others are induced, such as during chiropractic manipulation?
The origin of creaking
Joints are the main source of these sounds, whether it’s the knees, fingers, hips or jaw. However, not all cracking sounds are the same, and they have a variety of causes:
- Crepitus: a dry sound that occurs during movement, often in the knee, caused by the friction of joint surfaces.
- Snapping: produced by a tendon rubbing against a bone abutment, as in snapping hip syndrome.
- Cavitation: a phenomenon in which a change in pressure in the joint transforms synovial fluid into gas, creating a dry noise.
Voluntary cracking and chiropractic
Unlike crackling and popping, which are repetitive in the short term, cavitation cannot be reproduced immediately in the same joint. This is what happens during chiropractic manipulation: a targeted force results in joint adjustment, sometimes accompanied by a cracking sound. However, this sound is not an indicator of treatment success or failure. Rather, the aim is to improve mobility and thus induce a beneficial neurophysiological effect.
Is there cause for concern?
Cracking is generally of no consequence to health. However, if they are accompanied by pain, stiffness or swelling, it’s best to consult a professional to identify the cause and prevent possible complications.
Visit the clinic nearest you:
- Chiropractic – Chelsea Gatineau (secteur Hull)
- Chiropractic – Vaudreuil-Dorion
- Chiropractic – Mirabel
- Chiropractic – Valleyfield
- Chiropractic – Québec (Duberger-Les-Saules)
- Chiropractic – Boucherville
- Chiropractic – Trois-Rivières
References
-Kawchuk, G. N., Fryer, J., Jaremko, J. L., Zeng, H., Rowe, L., Thompson, R., & Zhang, Q. (2015). Real-time visualization of joint cavitation. Plos One, 10(4), 0119470. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0119470
-Brodeur R. (1995). The audible release associated with joint manipulation. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics, 18(3), 155–164.
-Dunning, J., Mourad, F., Barbero, M., Leoni, D., Cescon, C., & Butts, R. (2013). Bilateral and multiple cavitation sounds during upper cervical thrust manipulation. BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 14, 24. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-14-24
-Reggars, J. W. (1998). The therapeutic benefit of the audible release associated with spinal manipulative therapy. a critical review of the literature. Australasian Chiropractic & Osteopathy : Journal of the Chiropractic & Osteopathic College of Australasia, 7(2), 80–5.es d
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Dr Guillaume Coovi-Sirois
Chiropractor and owner
