Crepitus is the medical term for crackling, popping, or grinding sounds or sensations that occur in a joint or soft tissue, most commonly in the knees, neck, shoulders, and ankles.
What causes crepitus and when it matters
Crepitus can come from several different sources depending on where it's happening. In joints, it may be caused by gas bubbles releasing inside the joint capsule — the familiar knuckle-cracking phenomenon — or by roughened cartilage surfaces moving against each other.
Tendons and ligaments can also snap across bony prominences with certain movements, producing a popping or clicking sound. Not all crepitus is a sign of something wrong: painless clicking in a healthy joint is common and generally harmless. Crepitus that comes with pain, swelling, or a decrease in range of motion is worth paying attention to, as it may indicate cartilage wear, inflammation, or a structural change in the joint that's affecting how it loads and moves.
How Sword Health can help
If crepitus is accompanied by pain or stiffness, a physical therapist can help identify the mechanical factors behind it and address them with targeted movement and strengthening work. Sword connects you with that expertise from home, so you get a clear picture of what's happening and a plan to address it.
About the author
Carolina Moreira
Medical Director of Clinical Development at Sword Health
