Snap, crackle, and pop... Joints will adjust natually without problems. Forcing a joint to crack can eventually damage the articular surface, the joint surface which is covered by cartilage. Such damage can lead to arthritis over time. At your age, with frequent cracking associated with discomfort, I would be interested to test your overall ligamentous laxity. Loose joints can become a problem. Some people are naturally born inflexible and tight. Some are born with extreme flexibility ("double jointed"). In fact, Marfan's Syndrome is a very extreme case of abnormal ligamentous and connective tissue disease that causes very unstable joints.

Tight joints... loose joints, my guess is that you are on the loose side of this continuum.

Dr. Christina Lasich, MD