Joints are common spots for injury. Although cracking and popping sounds are not an injury unto themselves, they can be a precursor to joint problems. There can be many causes for popping and cracking, such as dehydration, vitamin deficiency or simply air trapped in the joint.

Ligaments are the connective tissues which hold bones and joints together. If they are over-extended, twisted or otherwise stressed and stretched beyond normal range of motion, a sprain occurs. Since all the body’s weight is supported by the foot and ankle, ankle ligament injuries are the most common.

Sometimes these sounds mean nothing, but when joint pops and crackles are accompanied by pain or swelling, it might mean something else.

Sudden, or acute, joint pain can occur with a variety of medical conditions, including injuries, infections and crystals in the joint fluid.

Loose shoulder ligaments can lead to injuries down the road. Strengthening the muscles around the shoulder decreases your risk of injury.

Anterior shoulder instability can lead to injuries such as joint dislocation. Strengthening exercises can improve stability of your shoulder joint.

Costochondritis is a painful condition that interferes with many daily activities. Exercises such as push-ups should be avoided until your pain resolves.

For runners experiencing pain in the joint of a big toe, the likely cause is hallux rigidus. A type of osteoarthritis, this injury can temporarily stop a runner's training regimen or, in serious instances, can mean a permanent end to running.

The radial head is a commonly fractured bone of the elbow joint. Primary treatment of radial head fractures can be non-operative if there is minimal displacement of the fragments.

Traditional diet soda is made with the artificial sweetener aspartame, which replaces the dense caloric nature of sugar used in regular soda beverages.

A pain in the buttocks can be more than a pain -- it can be a debilitating symptom that makes walking, sitting or normal exercise difficult. Compression of the sciatic nerve often causes pain that runs through the buttocks and down to the foot.

Sciatic nerve flossing is done to "massage" the sciatic nerve when it becomes compressed by the muscles and bones, which is a condition known as sciatica, says the Mavenlive website.