What type of joint noise may indicate osteoarthritis?

• A. Clicking
• B. Hard/diffuse crepitus
• C. Squealing
• D. Thudding

Answer: (B)

Osteoarthritis causes roughened joint surfaces as cartilage wears away, so movements produce a grinding, crackling sound known as crepitus. This noise in OA tends to be hard and diffuse, reflecting bone-on-bone contact and widespread irregularities in the joint surfaces rather than a single snap. That’s why a hard, diffuse crepitus is the most characteristic joint noise for OA.

A clicking sound usually points to mechanical catching from joint structures such as a displaced disc or meniscal problem, where surfaces shift and snap into place. Squealing can occur with unusual friction or lubrication issues in soft tissues, and thudding is a dull, impact-like noise not typical of the degenerative surface roughness seen in OA. In the temporomandibular joint, crepitus during motion is a classic sign of degenerative change, whereas the other sounds suggest different problems with the joint.