Many people are embarrassed when it happens. They move their shoulder and hear a popping sound. Sometimes that shoulder popping may sound like a cracking or grinding sound. In addition to hearing the popping sound in their shoulder, they also experience pain or a warmth in their shoulder. It is one of the reasons why a person often begins to worry about their shoulder.
What Does the Term Crepitus have to Do with My Shoulder?
Crepitus is the popping feeling that a person hears when they move their shoulder. It occurs in arm where the shoulder joints connect at the top of a person’s arm. Crepitus is a medical condition that can be part of more serious medical problem.
The Medical Conditions that are Associated with Popping in the Shoulder
The shoulder is constructed of a ball-and-socket joint. The humerus bone is located inside and underneath the shoulder blade. The rotator cuff, made of four muscles, connect the shoulder blade and humerus bone together. Labrum, which is cartilage, works as a soft up inside the shoulder blade to hold a person’s arm in place.
Scapulothoracic bursitis can cause popping inside the shoulder. Bursa is a sac filled with fluid that protects joints and keeps the socket and joint connected. When inflamed, the bursa can be inflamed. A person may hear a popping sound. Labral tears are another cause of popping in the shoulder. The labrum is made of cartilage. It tear occurs of age, overuse or injury. In addition to hearing the popping sound, a person may experience pain and discomfort.
Malunion of fractures of the ribs or scapular is a serious injury. The shoulder may break because of some type of impact such as a fall or car accident. The pain in the shoulder may decrease. However, a person may experience an occasion popping sound when they move their arm. As the bones fuse together, they tend to develop ridges along the ribs or blades. These ridges can rub against the muscles and make a popping noise.
Osteochondroma is a benign growth in a person’s rib, shoulder or scapular. It causes a person’s shoulder to make a popping or cracking sound when they raise their arm. Sometimes Cavitation can occur after a working out or when a person raises their shoulders. When a person’s shoulders releases gas from their joints it sounds like popping or cracking. Another serious medical condition that happens when a person’s shoulder makes a popping sound is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis develops when the spongy cartilage located in the bones begins to break down. A person hears snapping, popping or cracking in the shoulder.
Stopping Your Crepitus from Occurring
Crepitus in a person’s shoulder doesn’t always accompany pain. The bones and tendons in a person’s body can cause a cracking or popping sound even when they are perfectly healthy. However, if joint popping occurs with pain, it may be a symptom of a larger health condition. Contact a physician about this medical condition and determine if it is part of a major health condition that requires surgery.
