Cracking or Popping in Joints While Exercising ?

animemoon5
animemoon5 Posts: 55 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hey everyone =)

Okay, I know I have been out of shape, due to several years of health issues I've been mostly sedentary, and I know a combination of that , and my weight can probably put a bit of a toll on my body and joints...

I've been working out several days a week, however I notice, a **lot** of cracking and popping when I exercise! I have had some knee pain, and if I feel pain with the popping noises in my knee, I do know to ease up a bit...

However other times it's not so obvious whether I should press on or ease up.... For example even in my arms or shoulders, if I do any arm exercises where I move or rotate them, I hear cracking noises.... there is no pain my muscles just seem to be extra noisy when I exercise..... (Though I learned after messing up my shoulder really bad during a pushup, and the injury lasting months that my arms aren't as strong as I thought and I shouldn't put all of my weight on them)

Is this normal? Should I just ignore it if I don't feel any pain and press on? Or is this a sign that I need to slow down or build up the muscle strength first?

And when it comes to the popping in my knees associated with pain, especially the knee cap, should I try to build strength there and push it as far as I can or just totally back off?

Replies

  • jayche
    jayche Posts: 1,128 Member
    Generally if there's joint pain you should find another exercise or use lighter loads.
    Cracking and popping happens all the time, as long as there's no pain associated with it I think the consensus is that it's fine.
  • NicoWoodruff
    NicoWoodruff Posts: 369 Member
    Yea pretty normal really. Make sure you are hydrated, getting enough water (8 measuring cups per day for most people) lubricates the joints and reduces the cracking/popping. A lot of cracking/popping can be a sign you're prone to gall bladder and/or arthritis issues.. but it can also just be a sign you're unconditioned and/or dehydrated.
  • ShaniWulffe
    ShaniWulffe Posts: 458 Member
    If your knees are what's bothering you, make sure you're always keeping them in line with your second toe. That creates the least awkward bend to them and protects the joints, whether your feet are turned out, in, or parallel.

    Once the pain is minimized, though, the cracking/popping is no big deal. You should hear my ballet class when we start our grande plies XD The whole room just cracks all over
  • 1Fizzle
    1Fizzle Posts: 241 Member
    Joint popping or cracking is not usually a big deal, unless it is painful when it occurs. On the one hand, joints can generally make noise. Think about how many bones you have in your body (206), some of these joints will crack or make sounds, and it is usually nitric oxide leaving a joint capsule-the crack is a quick pressure change in the joint, no different than when you crack your knuckles. Now if you have a grinding feeling instead of a pop, it could indicate a bigger issue.
  • animemoon5
    animemoon5 Posts: 55 Member
    Thank you everyone for your replies! ^_^ It's good to know that the popping/cracking sounds are okay as long as there is no pain, I feel a lot better now, It's good to clear up those worries, thank you!
    If your knees are what's bothering you, make sure you're always keeping them in line with your second toe.

    Thank you for this!!!! It might sound weird, but I never really know how to bend my knees properly, and it seems like something so obvious and common I was always feeling too silly to ask.... Because of the knee pain, I haven't used them much and need to work them slowly and build those muscles, but it is definitely good to know how to line them up properly and have a reference point.... so thanks for this bit of info =)
  • erbear117
    erbear117 Posts: 62 Member
    yes don't push the knee past the ankle, and always make sure your knee is aiming in the direction of the ankle. the hips, knees, and ankles always extend in a straight line with each other (no twisting!)

    as the others have said, popping is fine unless it hurts. some people have popping/cracking when they move their body a certain way, however if it just makes ONE pop (such as cracking your knuckles or your neck), it is generally not good to do, as it weakens the muscle tendons. the repetitive kind is fine and will likely go away eventually, as you continue to use those parts of your body.

    good luck! =)

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