- Spine Cracks With Movement Pictures
- Spine Cracking With Movement
- Spine Popping With Movement
- Thoracic Spine Movement
Cracking or popping sounds that result from joint manipulation are mostly considered to be harmless. However, medical help must be sought if the noise is accompanied by pain. This HealthHearty write-up explains the contributing factors for clicking noises in the lower back.
The Most Common Explanation For Back Cracks. Back cracking is usually a normal body function. Your back cracks when gas bubbles form and pop between your facet joints. Let’s back up for a second and look at the anatomy of your back. The spine has vertebrae, and facet joints connect to these vertebrae. If the cracking and grinding noise can be recreated every time you move your head/neck, then it may be telling of an issue with joint function. Recent surgery. After surgery on the cervical spine. Dec 19, 2019 Crepitus by cavitation:1,2 An audible pop or crack, which may occur during normal movement or when the spine is moved near its end range of motion. Cavitation can occur naturally with exercise or motion and can be induced by a health professional, such as a chiropractor, or osteopathic physician. Cavitation is usually normal and painless and is typically not a cause for concern. If one of the spinal joints feels like it sticks or locks in place with certain movements, the joint structures may be deteriorated. Recent injury. If a noticeable change in joint cracking occurs after a trauma or injury, medical attention is typically advised to ensure that a structural change (such as a minor fracture or torn ligament) is not disrupting joint function.
The spine, which is commonly referred to as the backbone, is an important part of the human skeletal system. It comprises twenty four vertebrae that are separated by intervertebral discs. The lumbar spine, which is commonly referred to as the lower back, is the lowest section of the spine. Just below the lumbar spine, lies the weight-bearing joint known as sacroiliac joint. Problems are most likely to arise, if the lumbar vertebrae or the sacroiliac joint are strained beyond tolerable limits. Popping or clicking sounds could sometimes be a sign of excessive strain on the lumbar region.
Contributing Factors
Clicking noises are often attributed to joint manipulation. It is believed that these arise when the gas that is trapped within the synovial fluid in the joint is released. These are usually harmless, but if these sounds are accompanied by pain, one must consult a doctor. The cracking sound could even be due to the change in the position of a tendon when one moves a joint. The noise is heard when the tendon that has moved slightly out of place returns to its original position. The noise could also be attributed to the tightening of ligaments, which occurs when one moves a joint.
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Such sounds may arise due to strain to the joints or supporting structures such as the ligaments, tendons, or cartilage. These supporting structures work in tandem, in order to provide maximum range of motion of a joint. For instance, the cartilage, which is the connective tissue that covers the ends of the bones, prevents friction between bones. Ligaments are connective tissues that connect bones to each other, while the tendons connect muscles to the bones. These structures provide stability to a joint. If any of these structures get affected due to a traumatic injury or repetitive strain, one may hear such sounds more often.
Certain degenerative conditions could also be responsible for causing misalignment of the bony segments of the spine, which in turn may cause clicking noises in the lumbar region. Osteoarthritis is a medical condition that is associated with the degeneration of the cartilage. Clicking sounds may arise if the cartilage gets worn out. As a result, the bones start rubbing against each other.
Herniated disc is another condition wherein the intervertebral discs that are located between the bony segments of the spine, may become weak or herniated. The gelatinous material that is enclosed within the hard outer wall of the disc may leak due to rupturing of the disc. A bulging disc in the lower back could even compress the nerves around the spine, and cause pain. Such sounds could also be caused due to changes in the bone density. Snapping hip syndrome is another condition wherein snapping or clicking sounds may arise from the hip joint.
Treatment Options
Crackling sounds that result from the release of trapped gas are not really a cause of concern. In fact, joint manipulation is a common practice wherein people bend their knuckles or joints so as to release the tension. However, one must remember that spinal manipulation can sometimes strain the back. A shift in the position of the muscles, tendons, or any of the supporting structures can cause the bone to move from its normal position. It may be the movement of the affected bone that is causing the snapping sound. Therefore, it is essential that any misalignment in the spinal column or the sacroiliac joint be corrected.
Deep tissue massage or physical therapy may help in this regard. If the clicking noises are accompanied by pain, it would be best to consult a doctor immediately. Besides a physical examination and the analysis of the patient’s medical history, doctors sometimes conduct X-rays or other imaging procedures in order to ascertain the underlying cause of such sounds.
Treatment would naturally depend on the underlying cause. Analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed if one is diagnosed with a degenerative joint disease. Drug therapy must also be coupled with self-care measures. Any physical activity that may throw the spine out of alignment, or put stress on the joints in the lumbar region must be avoided.
On a concluding note, seek medical help if clicking noises are accompanied by pain and swelling, and the joint gets locked after it pops. An early diagnosis and treatment would certainly slow down the progression of the disease, and help restore the range of motion of the joint.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.
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Back cracking can occur whenever the spine’s facet joints are manipulated out of or into their normal position, such as when twisting the lower back or neck. When the facet joints move like this, they can produce an audible crack or pop along with a grinding sensation or sudden relief of pressure.
The cracking, popping, snapping, or grinding sensation that occurs when a joint moves is called crepitus and is usually a harmeless occurrence. Watch:Video: Why Do My Joints Crack?
There are two facet joints at each level of the spine, one on the right and the other on the left side. Each facet joint consists of a bony protrusion from the upper and lower vertebrae that are connected together by synovium and a network of ligaments.
Spine Cracks With Movement Pictures
Watch Facet Joint Anatomy Animation
Back cracking, also called crepitus, is a common occurrence that differs slightly for everyone. Cracking the facet joints is typically not painful or cause for concern.
Possible Causes of Cracking Spinal Joints
There is no consensus on what causes joints to crack or on the potential long-term effects of frequent back cracking. The mechanisms that cause joints to crack or grind can differ from person to person. There are three primary theories about why facet joints crack, pop, or grind:
- Cavitation. Surrounding each facet joint is a capsule of liquid, called synovial fluid, that lubricates the joints and allows for smooth, comfortable movements. One theory on crepitus suggests that air pressure within the joint is suddenly altered when the joint is cracked, resulting in the formation or collapse of an air cavity in the synovial fluid that produces a popping sound.1
- Ligament or tendon snapping. When a tight or tense ligament is pulled across a surface of bone, cartilage, or another tendon or ligament, it can create a snapping noise similar to a joint crack or pop.
- Bone grinding. Deteriorated cartilage surrounding a spinal joint can cause popping, cracking, or grinding. Cartilage may wear down from overuse and/or age, causing the bones of the joint to rub together and produce a grinding sensation and a sound similar to a crack or pop.
After a joint is cracked, it can take about 20 minutes for it to be able to crack again. It is thought that during this refractory period, the joint needs to “reset,” or return to its previous position and pressure. Forcing the joint to crack again as it resets is not advised, as doing so can push the joint past its comfortable range and strain the surrounding ligaments.
Impact of Back Cracking on The Spine
The exact mechanics of facet joint cracking and its possible effects are not fully understood. The effects of joint cracking likely vary due to individual differences in overall muscle and joint function. As a general rule, cracking the spinal joints does not cause pain or necessitate medical attention.
Back Cracking and Back Pain Relief
Cracking the facet joints is known to provide temporary relief from low back stiffness or joint pressure. More research is needed to identify any long-term benefits of back cracking.
Manual manipulation, a common method of back and neck pain relief, may focus on adjusting the facet joints to provide a healing environment and reduce pain. These adjustments may create a cracking sound.
Medical literature suggests that manual manipulation of the facet joints can contribute to decreased stiffness, improved range of motion, and a temporary reduction in pain.2 Manual manipulation, also called spinal adjustments, is commonly provided by chiropractors and osteopathic physicians.
See Chiropractic Adjustment
When Back Cracking Warrants Medical Attention
If back cracking is paired with troubling or painful symptoms, it may indicate a structural or degenerative problem with the joint. If the following occurs with facet joint cracking, medical attention may be warranted:
- Stinging, throbbing pain. Pain that feels sharp, stabbing, hot, or throbbing can sometimes occur when a joint is cracked. In the spine, this pain may indicate that a joint is pinching or irritating a nerve root.
- Consistent cracking. A joint that consistently cracks, pops, or grinds when moved can be a sign of joint dysfunction. Possible causes of consistent joint cracking and grinding include a damaged ligament or cartilage, deteriorated synovial capsule, and/or bone to bone grinding from osteoarthritis or other causes.
- Locking joint. If one of the spinal joints feels like it sticks or locks in place with certain movements, the joint structures may be deteriorated.
- Recent injury. If a noticeable change in joint cracking occurs after a trauma or injury, medical attention is typically advised to ensure that a structural change (such as a minor fracture or torn ligament) is not disrupting joint function.
Spine Cracking With Movement
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If any of the above symptoms, or other concerning symptoms, are present it is advisable to consult a physician for diagnosis and treatment.
There is little consensus regarding the long-term implications of habitual joint cracking. It is thought that when a joint is repeatedly cracked, it is consistently pulled out of its natural position, which may cause the ligaments around the joint to loosen over time. Currently there is no known correlation with joint cracking and degenerative changes.
References
Spine Popping With Movement
- 1.Kawchuk GN, Fryer J, Jaremko JL, Zeng H, Rowe L, Thompson R. Real-time visualization of joint cavitation. PLoS ONE. 2015;10(4):e0119470.
- 2.Furlan A, Tazdi F, Tsertsvadze A, et al. Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Back Pain II. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 194. AHRQ Publication No. 10(11) E007. Rockville, MD; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. October 2010. Accessed February 3, 2017.
Thoracic Spine Movement
Further Reading: Neck Cracking and Grinding: What Does It Mean?