Why Does My Ankle Crack When I Rotate It?

Have you ever experienced ankle cracking when walking or rotating the joint? You are not alone. Ankle cracking is actually far more common than you think, and it is no cause for alarm unless you experience symptoms of pain and swelling along with the cracking. In addition to cracking, you may experience a slight snapping or popping sensation. Why does my ankle crack when I rotate it, you may ask? Let's discuss it!

What's the Structure of an Ankle Joint?

Before we answer the question, 'Why does my ankle crack when I rotate it?' you should first understand the anatomy of the ankle joint.

The ankle joint essentially serves as a connection between your feet and your lower legs. Overall, the joint is formed by the meeting of three bones: the shin bone - the tibia; the calf bone - the fibula; and the talus bone - the small bone in your ankle. Alongside the bones are sections of cartilage, ligaments, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. Functionally, it is a hinge-type joint that can rotate around one axis to flex or extend.

Now, let's answer the main question: Why does my ankle crack when I rotate it?

Why Does My Ankle Crack When I Rotate It?

There are several reasons why your ankle joint may crack when rotated. Here are the most common causes:

1. Gas Release from The Joint

Joints are formed when two or more bones come together and are usually surrounded by capsules that hold the joint together. Within the capsule lies a fluid known as the synovial fluid, which provides lubrication to the moving joints. When the joint is overextended beyond its normal range or hasn't moved in a long time, the pressure inside the joint capsule changes, producing a vacuum and forming a bubble of gases within the fluid. Once you move the joint, the bubble collapses, and the gas is quickly released, producing a cracking sound.

2. Tendon Rubbing

Tendons serve as the connective tissue that attaches the joint to the muscles that control its movement. Over time, excessive rubbing or repetitive movement may lead to inflammation in the tendons. This inflammation is typically accompanied by a crunching or cracking sound. If your ankles crack due to tendon inflammation, it may further lead to pain in the joints, especially when you rotate the foot.

3. Osteochondritis Dissecans

Why does my ankle pop when I rotate it? OCD can be the reason. Osteochondritis Dissecans, or OCD, is a type of joint disorder in which a segment of the bone and cartilage dislodges from the joint due to repeated stress or trauma. This may be the result of a fracture or a break within the ankle joint. Those who suffer from this disorder typically hear a cracking sound in their ankles. It may further be accompanied by swelling and difficulty moving the joint.

4. Peroneal Tendon Injury

A peroneal tendon injury occurs as a result of physical trauma to the ankle or repetitive movements in the ankle that may strain, overstretch, or even tear the tendons. The most common symptoms you'll experience with this injury include pain and swelling, weakness in the foot, warmth, inflammation, and a popping sound when you injure the foot. If left untreated, it can lead to a complete rupture of the tendon and instability of the ankle joint.

5. Ankle Osteoarthritis

Finally, your ankle may be popping or cracking as a result of ankle osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis of the ankle usually happens when the cartilage of the bones wears down, usually accompanied by stiffness, swelling, and pain in the joint. You may also experience joint cracking or popping, especially when you flex your feet.

When To Seek Medical Attention for Your Sprained Ankle

Why does my ankle crack when I rotate it? Our discussion shows that cracking or popping sounds in the ankle joint can result from several reasons. In order to ensure you aren't suffering from any debilitating disorder or health concern, you should consult a doctor. Here is all you need to know about when to seek medical attention and what a doctor can do for you.

Signs Requiring Medical Help

Here are the signs that may accompany cracking noises in the ankle. These symptoms indicate you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

• If you experience severe pain that cannot be eased with regular rest
• If you experience swelling, redness, or bruising around the ankle joints that worsens over time, itusually indicates an underlying injury.
• Limited mobility that makes it difficult to walk or run, or you may feel unstable when walking
• A deformity or unnatural appearance of the ankle
• Numbness, tingling, or other abnormal sensations around the ankle

What A Doctor Will Do?

While your ankle joint cracking may not necessarily be a bad thing, having your ankle examined by a professional will allow you to better understand why you are experiencing the cracking or popping sensation. Here is what to expect:

• Medical History Inquiry: At the beginning, your doctor will request that you provide a medical history indicating your overall health status, past illnesses, allergies, medications, or genetic health risks. It will allow doctors to accurately diagnose your condition and ensure it is not an underlying result of a past condition. This is why your medical history should be as detailed and complete as possible.
• Physical Examination: This is almost immediately followed by a physical examination of the ankle joint to determine the cause of your ankle problems. The doctor may look for signs of deformities, swelling, redness, inflammation, skin discoloration, or asymmetry.
• Imaging Tests: If a physical examination reveals no information as to the cause of popping or cracking, it may be followed with imaging tests such as X-rays, MRIs, CTs, and ultrasounds to better determine the condition of the ankle joint beneath the skin and tendons.
• Diagnostic Result and Healing Advice: In this stage, you will know the answer to your question: Why does my ankle crack or pop when I rotate it? With your diagnosis complete, the doctor will provide professional guidance and a detailed recovery plan. Injuries such as tendon tears or osteoarthritis of the ankle joints demand extensive, long-term treatment plans. Treatments for more serious concerns may include physical therapy, arch supports, bracing, or even surgery. You may also be prescribed certain exercises or healing advice to help strengthen the ankle joint.

How To Strengthen Ankles

Many health concerns are the result of weak ankles. Signs that you may have weak ankles include soreness, frequent sprains, balance problems, and trouble keeping your ankles straight. Strengthening your ankle joints is one of the best ways to prevent ankle popping and even injuries to the ankle joints. Here is how to strengthen ankles: 

• Ankle circles or rotating the ankle around the axis will allow you to improve ankle mobility.
• Standing calf raises will allow you to activate the muscles of the lower legs, which are responsible for ankle flexion, extension, and running.
• Set yourself on the floor and draw the alphabet with your toes, each letter one by one. The ankle alphabet exercise will allow you to build foot and ankle strength.
• Try single-leg balance, an exercise that requires you to stay steady while standing on one leg. It improves joint stability in the hips, knees, and ankles.

If the popping sensation persists even with strengthening exercises, you should seek a physician for a professional consultation.

Why does my ankle crack when I rotate it? Ankle cracking or popping sensations are a common occurrence, usually causing no need for worry. However, if the popping sensation persists or is accompanied by more bizarre symptoms such as redness, swelling, pain, or instability, you should seek medical attention.

Athletes or those who overuse the ankle joint are at higher risk of developing ankle cracking. The best way to prevent this is by strengthening the ankle joint or by using an ankle brace. 

If you are looking for a quality ankle brace that will provide the ankle joint with needed stability and support, check out Fivali's collection of ankle support braces. We offer a wide variety of ankle braces for you to choose from. These braces will protect your ankles from external trauma or injury, especially if you are engaged in running, jumping, twisting, or similar activities that demand ankle joint mobility.