People can experience crepitus at any age, but it becomes more common as people get older. Crepitus describes any grinding, creaking, cracking, grating, crunching, or popping that occurs when moving a joint. Crepitus is a crackling, popping, or grating sound or sensation that can occur in joints or soft tissues.

Understanding the Context

It happens due to the rubbing of tissues, air, fluid, or bone. Occasional joint sounds can be typical. Crepitus is the crackling, popping, grinding, or grating sensation that comes from joints, bones, or even soft tissue. Most people notice it in their knees, but it can occur in any joint, in the lungs, or under the skin.

Key Insights

Crepitus is a popping or crackling sound or sensation in a joint or the lungs. Learn what causes these abnormal symptoms and when they may be serious. Crepitus Crepitus (/ ˈkrɛpɪtəs /) or crepitation is "a grating sound or sensation produced by friction between bone and cartilage or the fractured parts of a bone". Crepitus is the medical term for the grinding, popping, or crackling noises and sensations that may come from your joints or soft tissues when you move. These sounds are most common in the knees, but they can also occur in the shoulders, neck, ankles, or other joints.

Final Thoughts

Crepitus refers to the palpable or audible popping, crackling, grating, or crunching sensation that can occur when air is pushed through soft tissue. Crepitus can occur anywhere in the body but is most common in the chest, over the lung area; or within joints. Crepitus A crackling or crunching sound heard when the ends of a fractured piece of bone rub against each other.