A Parnell Physio Explains: Is Joint Clicking A Problem?

Aside from pain, joint clicking would be the second most common complaint in our Parnell physio clinic. Many people are concerned about the cause of their clicking. They are concerned it is causing damage, often linking it to bone on bone or joint wear and tear. This blog will investigate the potential causes of clicking, is it even something we should worry about, and what role physiotherapy can play in treating this condition.

Potential causes:

• Cavitation: joints are surrounded by a thick fibrous capsule known as the joint capsule. This occurs at large joints such as the knee and shoulder as well as the small joints in the hands, feet and back. Joint capsules contain synovial fluid that acts as a lubricant. With movement there is a build up in gas bubbles in the joint fluid then as we go to click our joints the gas bubbles pop creating the clicking sound. If gas bubbles are the cause of joint clicking, this is the reason you are unable to click again straight away as there has been no build up in gas. Contrary to popular belief, the sound heard when cracking somebodies back or neck is not the realigning of joints. It is the popping of a gas bubble. A cavitation is the most common form of clicking in the body.
• Tendon snapping: although the name sounds concerning, tendon snapping generally is not. It occurs when tendon slides over a bony prominence or another tendon and the snaps back into place. It is often in an area where the bone is more prominent such as the greater trochanter at the hip and can also be seen like the IT band flicking at the knee. Due to the variance in our skeletal make up, tendon snapping is more prevalent in some verse others. Tendon snapping can also be heard when a person is injured or recovery from surgery. Due to atrophy or tissue damage, muscles do not pull and work like they should causing clicking and snapping with movements that normally would not. This is most common in the shoulder. Tendon snapping is a type of clicking that can be recreated in the same position regardless of time between clicks.

Cavitation and tendon snapping are the two main causes of joint clicking, other include fluid in a joint, joint wear and tear, or ligament stretching.

Is it a problem?

Once we have found out what the potential cause of the clicking is, the next questions is, is it causing damage? In most cases that answer is no. Research has shown that cavitation and tendon snapping have no short or long term affects on joint wear and tear or tendon damage. If the clicking becomes painful then there is cause for concern as long term painful clicking has potential to cause damage.

Physiotherapies role

The physiotherapists at out Parnell physio clinic can assess a patient and help to discover the potential cause of the joint clicking. Education can help reassure the patient that the cause of their clicking is not causing damage and allow them to continue with their daily tasks without concern. A physiotherapist is also able to construct individualised program to strengthen muscles and get them working again to helpreduce some clicking.

If you have any concerns with regards to any clicking in your joints or with your tendons, make an appointment with one of our highly trained physiotherapists in our Parnell physio clinic.