What causes that noise when people crack their knuckles?!
Question: To understand what happens when you 'crack' your knuckles, or any other joint, first you need a little background about the nature of the joints of the body The type of joints that you can most easily 'pop' or 'crack' are the diarthrodial joints. These are your most typical joints. They consist of two bones that contact each other at their cartilage surfaces; the cartilage surfaces are surrounded by a joint capsule.
Inside the joint capsule is a lubricant, known as synovial fluid, which also serves as a source of nutrients for the cells that maintain the joint cartilage. In addition, the synovial fluid contains dissolved gases, including oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide
If you take an x-ray of the joint after cracking, you can see a gas bubble inside the joint. This gas increases the joint volume by 15 to 20 percent; it consists mostly (about 80 percent) of carbon dioxide. The joint cannot be cracked again until the gases have dissolved back into the synovial fluid, which explains why you cannot crack the same knuckle repeatedly.
This small quantity of gas cause so much noise or vibrations during joint popping.
Another source of popping and cracking sounds is the tendons and ligaments near the joint. Tendons must cross at least one joint in order to cause motion. But when a joint moves, the tendon's position with respect to the joint is forced to change.
It is not uncommon for a tendon to shift to a slightly different position, followed by a sudden snap as the tendon returns to its original location with respect to the joint. These noises are often heard in the knee and ankle joints when standing up from a seated position or when walking up or down the stairs
Answers: To understand what happens when you 'crack' your knuckles, or any other joint, first you need a little background about the nature of the joints of the body The type of joints that you can most easily 'pop' or 'crack' are the diarthrodial joints. These are your most typical joints. They consist of two bones that contact each other at their cartilage surfaces; the cartilage surfaces are surrounded by a joint capsule.
Inside the joint capsule is a lubricant, known as synovial fluid, which also serves as a source of nutrients for the cells that maintain the joint cartilage. In addition, the synovial fluid contains dissolved gases, including oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide
If you take an x-ray of the joint after cracking, you can see a gas bubble inside the joint. This gas increases the joint volume by 15 to 20 percent; it consists mostly (about 80 percent) of carbon dioxide. The joint cannot be cracked again until the gases have dissolved back into the synovial fluid, which explains why you cannot crack the same knuckle repeatedly.
This small quantity of gas cause so much noise or vibrations during joint popping.
Another source of popping and cracking sounds is the tendons and ligaments near the joint. Tendons must cross at least one joint in order to cause motion. But when a joint moves, the tendon's position with respect to the joint is forced to change.
It is not uncommon for a tendon to shift to a slightly different position, followed by a sudden snap as the tendon returns to its original location with respect to the joint. These noises are often heard in the knee and ankle joints when standing up from a seated position or when walking up or down the stairs
Apparently its a little pocket of air that pops out.
I think.
gas escaping from in between the joints. There is no proof that it is in any way harmful. I looked it up about a month ago
its air that builds up in your cartilage between fingers, and its really bad for your joins, although i crack my knuckles =P
gasses
it is little bubbles of nitrogen that are trapped in your joints as your joints warm up the fluid in them moves around more easily allowing these little bubbles to escape, thats what makes them pop. and its a wives tale that you will get arthritis from cracking your knuckles.
air pockets between joints. not harmful...
pop away.
it's the air in the knuckles moving. it is not good because it can cause future pain and damage.
Nitrogen gas.