It’s quite common to hear your knees crack when you stand up or your knuckles pop as you stretch your fingers. These sounds, often described as snapping, clicking, or popping, are medically known as crepitus. While they can sometimes feel alarming, joint cracking is usually harmless and linked to everyday body mechanics. In most cases, the noise comes from gas bubbles in the joint fluid or the movement of tendons and ligaments over bones. However, when cracking is frequent, painful, or accompanied by swelling or stiffness, it could signal underlying issues like arthritis, injury, or inflammation. Understanding what causes your joints to crack and when it’s a sign to seek help can help you protect joint health, prevent wear and tear, and keep your body moving smoothly as you age. There

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