why do my knees and elbow crack when i bend them?

Question

im 13 and when i bend my elbow it cracks andmy funny bone pops out a bit. Will this go away?

Answer 1

A protective fluid cushions most of the joints in our bodies.

Inside a capsule that safeguards bones connected at a joint, synovial fluid keeps the cartilage, tissues, and muscles lubricated and well nourished. Nutrients float inside the fluid, along with gases, such as oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

As you bend your fingers, the joint capsule stretches. To make more room for the stretch, gases release out of the fluid. The pop of your knuckles is the sound of gas as it bubbles out of the fluid, scientists say. Before your knuckle can crack again, the fluid must reabsorb the gas.

More to it

Tendons and ligaments make a loud racket too.

Tendons are like rubber bands stretched over joints that keep muscles attached to bones. Similarly, ligaments extend to connect bones to other bones. Sometimes, tendons and ligaments slide out of their spot at the joint and then quickly snap back into place.

If your knee cracks when you stand up from sitting on the couch, you're likely hearing your tendons and ligaments popping into proper position around your knee's joints.

Arthritic joints not only cause pain, they can creak as well.

Connecting bones loose their smooth cartilage and grow spurs on their edges. The amount of synovial fluid also increases, making the joint feel stiff and sore. [Graphic]

Answer 2

I had the same thing when I was your age - its all about growing up! Haaa. What is happening is the fluid around your joints is moving, persay, and causing your joints to be stiff. You need to see a doctor and normally they either give you brace to make sure your joint is in place for the fluid to move or they give you a shot(it really doesnt hurt I swear!) and that will cure the area for a long time. The good news is this is very normal, not serious and you wont die from it. Good luck!

Answer 3

Most probably, it's a build up of nitrogen in your joints---same thing as cracking your knuckles. As you grow older, you can't crack your knuckles anymore; same thing with all your joints. As you get older, the cracking will stop. Meanwhile, just look around and say, "Damn! Did you guys hear that drummer?"

Answer 4

I'm 49 and I notice this as well for the last month or so. For some unknown reason I think it might be related to my diet high in carbohydrates like white bread, pasta, rice, and sweets. Could that be?

Answer 5

My knees have done the same thing since about then. It doesn't get better, but it won't get much worse.

Answer 6

I don't know, but I think I heard it has something to do with vitamin d. I could be wrong though

Answer 7

my jaw will crack at times and my mom's does too... it is just the way you are made.. your joints

Answer 8

You were adopted.