Even though it makes a scary sound, ankle cracking doesn't always mean you
need to visit the doctor right away.
Ankle popping may occasionally be a symptom of an underlying problem that
requires treatment, such as a fracture, sprain, or tendon injury. It can also
happen for less serious (and enigmatic) causes that we don't comprehend.
Many patients report regular ankle popping, but x-rays and MRIs reveal
nothing wrong with them.
This does not, however, imply that ankle cracking should be disregarded. It is
always a good idea to educate yourself on this phenomenon, even if there are
no symptoms of an acute damage.
Why does the ankle crack?
● Sprained ankle
● a fractured ankle
● Osteochondritis dissecans, often known as the loosening of the ankle's
talus bone.
● Loss of cartilage due to aging, which is prevalent in those with
osteoarthritis
● Tendons can slip over bones or pop in and out of position as a result of
muscle activation. The most frequent reason for ankle cracking is this.
● discharge of gas from the joints
Why Are There Noises That Crack and Pop?
Muscle and Tendon Activity
Your peroneal tendons are the most typical cause of non-painful ankle
breaking. The three peroneal muscles in the lower leg are made up of these
tendons.
They can budge in and out of the groove that keeps them in place during
exercise and severe activity, making a snapping sound. They can become
displaced for a number of reasons, including tendon dislocation and tendons
grinding against the ankle bone. Don't be alarmed; this is completely natural
and not a cause for alarm.
Gas Discharge
It might surprise you to learn that our joints can also produce gas. Joints have
lubricant-filled capsules that keep them operating properly.
The capsules may emit nitrogen bubbles as well as other gasses when you
move your ankle or stretch. Similar to when you crack your knuckles, this will
result in a crackling sound.
Gas-related ankle cracking rarely hurts and is not a symptom of a major joint
issue. Additionally, you're more likely to experience this just after a lengthy
time of inactivity or right after waking up in the morning when you exercise.
Injury
Despite the fact that the ligaments in your ankle joint are known to be tough, a
sprain can overly stretch or rupture them. Unfortunately, a cracking noise is a
dead giveaway for a fracture or sprain. Physically active people must be
careful to avoid chronic ankle instability by avoiding recurrent sprains. This is
especially true for athletes who participate in sports like tennis that require a
lot of sidestepping.
If your ankle is broken, you might also hear a crack. It can be challenging to
tell if you've fractured one bone as opposed to several. MRIs and x-rays are
essential to establish the severity of both foot injuries. To prevent injury, we
recommend wearing DrLuigi medical footwear.
Osteoarthritis
You could once in a while hear a clicking sound if you have ankle
osteoarthritis. This is referred to as crepitus, a broad word for joint popping,
according to Medical News Today. It may indicate that air is moving in the
joint, similar to when gas is released in the joint. Although osteoarthritis
doesn't cause harm on its own, it does have extra symptoms.
Is Ankle Cracking a Bad Thing?
Determine the cause, keep an eye out for any other symptoms, and decide if
your ankle cracking is hazardous. It's also important to consider the context of
the bursting sound. Is it a constant occurrence? Or did you have a terrible fall
and hear a loud crack?
There is a good possibility the cracking is related to one of the following,
assuming you haven't recently sustained an injury:
● muscle and tendon activity
● discharge of gas from the joints
● an underlying ailment of the feet, such as osteoarthritis
It's common to wonder whether these events create harm. For instance, as
time goes on, osteoarthritis causes your cartilage to gradually deteriorate. The
rubbing of your bones results in discomfort, stiffness, and occasionally the
creation of bone spurs. Fortunately, osteoarthritis in the ankle or foot is
treatable with a variety of methods. These include prescription drugs,
supportive footwear like DrLuigi mediacal footwear, surgical procedures,
personalized orthotics, and physical therapy.