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Suggest Treatment For Popping And Cracking Joints

Posted on Tue, 22 Nov 2016

Question: Hi I have popping an cracking joint all over my body.

Follow up: Dr. Mahaveer Patil (2 minutes later)

Hi,

During the past 3 months or so I have developed popping and cracking joints. It started around my neck and slowly spread all over my body literally every piece of joint pops nearly every time I move. There is no pain it's feels like I am falling into pieces. I am a long term anxiety sufferer so just wondering if this something new yet again that anxiety has caused as physical symptom? I have had neck xrays done and all came back perfectly fine. Went to see a physio therapist which helped with my neck as long as the treatments were ongoing but all other joints were popping meanwhile, actually now that I think of it it all started to spread during my neck treatment. Perhaps also worth mentioning that I am a very light sleeper I am having trouble falling asleep and am often up until the wee hours and only get a few hours of sleep, this is due to anxiety. Recently I got admitted to hospital with a really bad chest pain, I advised the doctor its probably anxiety but they could not risk it so while I was there they took blood for testing during which I very nearly passed out which never happened to me before during a blood test. At this point I should mention that I also had been suffering from extreme fatigue. The doctor said that if they find any heart issue they will keep me in and will give an iron transfusion but I was cleared and went home. This made me think and got some iron supplement and immediately after starting I started to feel much better I had more energy. So Just wondering what could be causing my joints to pop and crack and if it can be related to anxiety or iron deficiency and if it's anything to worry about?
The pops can be high pitched like when you crack your fingers or deep loud ones and grinding sort (especially in my neck and shoulders and elbow).
Many thanks in advance.

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
May be calcium deficiency

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting the question.
I have gone through your query in detail and do understand your concern.

I agree that you are suffering from anxiety and iron deficiency. But the popping and cracking of the joints can be mostly due to calcium deficiency.

Its a high possibility that along with iron deficiency,you may also have concommitant calcium and vitamin deficiency as well.

Calcium deficiency causes the bones and joints to become weak. This in turn causes the popping and cracking sounds.

You need to get your blood calcium and vitamin D levels tested.

The amount of calcium in the bones also needs to be tested by doing a BONE MINERAL DENSITOMETRY.

Depending on the levels of deficiency,calcium and vitamin D3 supplements can be started.

This is not related at all to the iron deficiency or anxiety and there is surely nothing to be worried about.

Get back to me once the reports are done.

I hope your query is answered.

Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar

Follow up: Dr. Mahaveer Patil (44 minutes later)

Thank you I shall get the blood tests done shortly.
Just lastly this cannot cause any long term damage?

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry about

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Absolutely nothing to worry. These are just sounds and do not imply that there is friction between two bones.
So this will definitely cause no damage in long term for sure.

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar

Follow up: Dr. Mahaveer Patil (39 minutes later)

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks

Detailed Answer:
You are welcome

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad