Crepitus definition
Crepitus is a cracking, clicking, or snapping sound, also called crepitation, that occurs with movement of a JOINT. Crepitus may occur in normal, healthy joints though is often quite pronounced in degenerative joint disorders in which the surfaces of joint structures are rough or irregular and protective CARTILAGE structures have deteriorated. Crepitus is a common feature of TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS, PATELLOFEMORAL SYNDROME, fractures due to trauma, and OSTEOARTHRITIS.
See also FRACTURE; RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS.
