Causes of a “Crackling” Sound in the Neck

A lot of people routinely “crack” their neck by slowly twisting their head from side to side. For most, this is a harmless action that provides some temporary stiffness relief. But other times, “crackling” sounds in the neck can be indicative of a more serious underlying condition. In this article, we are going to talk about some of the common conditions and injuries that may result in a “crackling” sound in the neck.

Possible Causes of a Crackling Sound in the Neck

A crackling or popping sound in the neck can be caused my many things, such as:

• Synovial Fluid. This fluid surrounds all of your joints and acts as a lubricant to encourage movement. Synovial fluid contains nitrogen and carbon dioxide which can form tiny bubbles that can burst and cause a “cracking” sound when a joint is moved a certain way. This is a very normal occurrence and is no cause for concern.
• Arthritic conditions in which the joint space between the neck vertebrae decreases can result in crackling noises.
• Ligament issues or injuries can also cause a cracking sound in the neck.

Typically crackling and popping noises in the neck are nothing to be concerned about. But if the crackling occurs in conjunction with pain or other symptoms, there might be something more serious at work.

Treatment Options

As with any condition or symptom, before you try any treatments – you should first get an accurate diagnosis. With so many potential injuries and conditions that require differing treatments, you really need to know what you’re treating before you go down that path.

If you are experiencing a “crackling” sensation in your neck, we recommend that you make an appointment with a qualified spine doctor right away to diagnose the issue. If there is a serious underlying condition or injury, an Inspired Spine surgical procedure may be the best option for reducing pain, resolving the symptoms, and effectively returning to a normal lifestyle. Contact us to learn more about the various Inspired Spine minimally invasive keyhole surgical procedures.

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