Question 1

hi doc, lately i  feel that my back sounds like cracking when i raise my leg or arm, is there any possibility that i have spine problem?

Accepted Answer

This is not likely: It may be the way you are built or that your musculature is just tight.  Cracking noise or sensation can be from several origins ranging frim the small joints of your back "popping" like the cracking of your knuckles to tight soft tissue structures giving the same sensation when stretched or moving over one another or another musculoskeletal structure.  It is not a pathologic or bad thing.

Question 2

does cracking sound in spine with pain mean osteo arthritis?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily: Grinding  can be caused by the facet joints, discs, tight muscles or ligaments.

Question 3

please explain why does my spine sound like it is rubbing together?

Accepted Answer

Common complaint : In my experience this is common and not worrisome. The sound may be nitrogen going in and out of the joints in your spine similar to cracking your knuckles. Postural changes due to muscle spasm can also give patients the sense that parts of the spine are rubbing. I would recommend exercise and time and not to worry.

Question 4

my back has been hurting. my spine sticks out, but i am very tall.  it rubs the back of my chair and makes a weird sound. what should i do. backbrace?

Accepted Answer

Orthopedist: You need to see an orthopedist for evaluation. If you are extremely tall and lanky and look like Abraham Lincoln you may have a genetic condition that the Ortho can pretty easily diagnose these conditions.

Question 5

had my partner push on my back, very hard, to relieve tension. heard a pop sound. no pain at the time, but spine and back developed consistent pain a few days/weeks after. could this be serious? or just pushed too hard and irritated area.

Accepted Answer

BACK PAIN: Persistent back pain after ‘manipulation’ warrants a hands-on evaluation by your doctor to determine possible causes and next-steps.  Likely nothing to worry about but if you continue to have pain, your back should be examined.  NExt time, I recommend leaving the ‘manipulation’ to the trained professional.

Question 6

what does it mean if i am hearing a clicking sound while stretching my back/spine?

Accepted Answer

Is there pain or no: Pain? There are some different things that this can be, but as long as there is not pain, that's a good thing! it could still suggest arthritis. The clicking sound you hear is either your facets rubbing against each other or any one of the multiple ligamentous structures clicking over protrusions, which again is something that suggests arthritis. At 50, everyone will have some level of arthritis.

Question 7

when im lying down i have a bubbling sound that travels up my spine to my head. is this normal?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if...: If you are a jellyfish or sea urchin, it is probably normal.
(seriously, unusual symptoms like that should be told to a doctor in person so that you can get a proper exam.).

Question 8

even at rest, without pain or provocation, i need to bend to the right side frequently to (what feels like) align my spine. result is a clunking sound?

Accepted Answer

Possible anomaly: Spinal or facets unstable, or spondylolisthesis
etc.
Need spine exam and images to clarify.
Full history would include trauma, family history etc.

Question 9

hi, i hear spritz, fizz, bubbles type sound in spine / neck when lying down and also hear "crackling" when walking... ?

Accepted Answer

Crepitus: Crepitus is the sound generated when joints move.  The sound can be the bones rubbing against each other.  

The other possibility is the vacuum effect caused by distracting the joint.  It causes air components to materialize within the joint causing the sound.  That's the sound heard when people crack their knuckles.

Question 10

here like grinding noise when i move my neck, sound like ligaments or something, what can it be. neck also hurt feel pain on spine cord muscle weak.

Accepted Answer

Possible arthritis: A grinding noise or sensation on turning head to either side 
can sometimes indicate arthritis in the cervical spine. In some cases, if the sensation is only mild, it may just be the sensation of muscles or ligaments sliding over a bony area.

A history of prior injury to the neck would make cervical arthritis more likely. Please see your physician and get an X-ray of your cervical spine.

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Doctor answers about:

Spine cracking sound

A member asked:

Hi doc, lately i feel that my back sounds like cracking when i raise my leg or arm, is there any possibility that i have spine problem?

A member asked:

Does cracking sound in spine with pain mean osteo arthritis?

A member asked:

Please explain why does my spine sound like it is rubbing together?

A member asked:

My back has been hurting. my spine sticks out, but i am very tall. it rubs the back of my chair and makes a weird sound. what should i do. backbrace?

A member asked:

Had my partner push on my back, very hard, to relieve tension. heard a pop sound. no pain at the time, but spine and back developed consistent pain a few days/weeks after. could this be serious? or just pushed too hard and irritated area.

A member asked:

What does it mean if i am hearing a clicking sound while stretching my back/spine?

A member asked:

When im lying down i have a bubbling sound that travels up my spine to my head. is this normal?

A member asked:

Even at rest, without pain or provocation, i need to bend to the right side frequently to (what feels like) align my spine. result is a clunking sound?

A member asked:

Hi, i hear spritz, fizz, bubbles type sound in spine / neck when lying down and also hear "crackling" when walking... ?

A member asked:

Here like grinding noise when i move my neck, sound like ligaments or something, what can it be. neck also hurt feel pain on spine cord muscle weak.

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