Dr David McGrath

Spine Physician

MB BS (Hons) FAFOM, RACP, FAFMM
Master of Pain Medicine

There is a lot of confusion about noise within the musculosketal system. Their origin is still the subject of research. It is generally believed that noises can arise from
1.Dislocating joints
2.Dislocating tendons
3.Dislocating ligaments
4.Sudden gas release from intra-articular tissues.

Without exploring the probability of each or all of these possibilities we could lump them together under the banner of "incoherency" . Examine any area of the musculoskeltal area, such as an elbow or wrist that does not generate "other" symptoms and it is most usual that NO noises can be generated. In other words there a high degree of correlation between general symptoms of dysfunction and noise. The science possibly looks like the follwing contingency table. Consider 100 areas of ordered anatomy and 100 areas of disordered anatomy.

NoiseCoherency	Order Present	Disorder Present
Noises are Absent	100	30
Noises are Present	0	70

In this scenario, the presence of noises indicates disorder, but the absence of noises does not indicate order. In other words, noises are a possible indicator of disorder or incoherence in the musculoskeletal system regardless of the noise origin.
This brings us to the question of intentional noises. Many people adopt a habit of inducing noise in joints. Could this be beneficial or harmful to coherency and order ?
Speculating that it might be useful, could lead to the conclusion that following such a procedure the sytem might be moved to a greater degree of quiet BUT not order.

NoiseCoherency	Order Present	Disorder Present
Noises are Absent	100	40
Noises are Present	0	60

Given the reasonable assumption that noises are 100% sensitive for disorder,all that may be achieved is a quieter system NOT a more ordered one.
This is not an ironclad proof, but nonetheless suggests a framework for looking at the issue.
I not aware of any scientific literature that supports the contention that repeat intentional noise production from joints changes disorder to order. It seems more likely that damage might occur leading to a greater degree of disorder.

NoiseCoherency	Order Present	Disorder Present
Noises are Absent	50	45
Noises are Present	0	105

The issue of noise within the system, raises the the more general issue of disorder. Even though disorder is likely to be present when noises are present,there could be quiet disorder. Other symptoms of disorder might include
1.Weakness and loss of power
2.Pain and other forms of abnormal sensory neuro-excitation. This could include parasthesia (pins & needles) or burning dysesthesia (hot sensations)

The most common triad is PAIN,WEAKNESS,NOISE

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