[shoegal]

So it seems many joints in my body crack and make odd noises (my jaw, my ankle, my knee, my back, and my elbow) and I'm only 22!! I know the source of all of them except my elbow. One day I was stretching at the computer and stretched my arms above my head, and my elbow made a crunchy clicky noise. Now whenever I raise my elbows above my head and lock them straight, they make this noise like a crunch noise, almost as if my elbow's separating and then going back. It's really weird, and there's no pain. Does anyone know what my elbow's doing? I'm just curious. Thanks :)

[templelane]

I get the same problem, apparently it's due to the flexibility of the joint due to your age which allows more movement, and the clicking is it moving around. If it doesn't hurt it isn't a problem - some people say it is an indication of a propensity for arthritis- although I think this is a bit of an old wives tale... At least that's what I'm hoping.

I used to think it was the synovial (joint) fluid moving around and the click was the pressure equilibrating but I have a vague memory of somebody saying the current medical opinion was against this.

Either way it's normal and not a problem if it doesn't hurt.

[shoegal]

Thank you so much for answering my question! Now we can only hope it's not an idication of future arthritis!

[royandrew]

I have the same problem now. Did you get it check by a doctor? Is it arthritis? I am really scared.