General practice·General practice
Joint clicking
Informed by recognized medical guidance
Overview
Joint clicking, also called crepitus, is when your joints make popping, cracking, or grating sounds when you move. It often happens in the knees, shoulders, fingers, neck, or back. In most cases, it is harmless and not a sign of a problem.
Key facts
- Joint clicking is very common and usually nothing to worry about.
- The sound often comes from gas bubbles popping in the joint fluid, or from tendons snapping over bones.
- If joint clicking is pain-free, it usually does not need treatment.
Yes, joint clicking is extremely common. Many people experience it at some point, especially as they age or after periods of inactivity.
Joint clicking can affect anyone, but it is more noticeable in younger people with flexible joints, older adults with wear-and-tear changes, and people who are very active or who perform repetitive movements.