prolonged periods of rest.
If you regularly need a long time to “loosen up” after waking or sitting, mention it during a medical evaluation.
## 4. Grinding, Clicking, or Cracking With Pain
Joints can make noises without anything being wrong.
Occasional painless cracking or popping is extremely common.
However, grinding or scraping sensations—sometimes called **crepitus**—can occur when cartilage and other joint structures change, particularly in osteoarthritis. NIAMS notes that people with knee osteoarthritis may hear grinding or scraping sounds during movement.
Joint noise becomes more meaningful when it appears together
