“Why do my wrists and ankles crack?”
I am a 24 year old male. My wrists and ankles crack. What could be the cause?
7 Answers
If your joint cracks spontaneously and doesn't hurt then don't worry about it. However, if you are cracking your joints regularly and it become a habit that is not a good idea. Never try to crack your joints intentionally or as a treatment. See a professional.
A lot of times that can be due to a muscle imbalance or a joint dysfunction in the area. I’d recommend seeing a chiropractor to see if they can help!
Dr. Josh Barton, DC
Dr. Josh Barton, DC
Could be a lot of different causes. My recommendation is don't purposely crack them. If they happen on their own during normal movement, that is fine. The more you crack it, the more unstable the joint may become and lead to arthritis.
Dr. Jonathan Donath, DC, MS
Dr. Jonathan Donath, DC, MS
If you can do it repeatedly, I’d speculate it’s tendons snapping over bony prominences, which might be anatomical variances or joint dysfunction in carpal bones of the wrist. I’d need to do an examination to tell you more.
Dr. Young
Dr. Young
A good history and exam would help me determine this. It is very common. My first guess would be weak ligaments that may need nutritional support, but again, a thorough history and exam would help determine that.
check magnesium levels
Cracking of joints is not necessarily a bad thing. Some joints will pop when motion is introduced into them. If there is pain or stiffness in the wrists and ankles, I recommend seeking out professional attention from a Chiropractor.
