Why is My Elbow Cracking?

Elbow cracking is a common issue with many people. You will find that there is probably no person who has not faced this problem in their lifetime. Initially, the cracking of elbows might seem to be normal with no pain. However, it might happen that the elbow cracking might cause pain in the area and make movements difficult. Before things get too late and lead to the other kinds of complications, it is recommended to get in touch with the best doctor who can analyze and report the problem.

Some Common Reasons That Might Lead To Elbow Cracking

Though elbow cracking is not a very serious issue, it is good if you know the reasons that might lead to the problem. This will also help in taking precautionary steps so that the problem can be averted completely. Whether it is your right elbow cracking or the left one, the causes might be similar. Some common reasons for the problem are as follows:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common problems from which both men and women can suffer while they age. Usually, in osteoarthritis, the protective covering that is there at the end of the bone (cartilage) starts to wear down. It is at the main point where the joint is present. The cartilage in the elbow joint helps in providing protection and cushioning at the bone ends. As a result, there is no friction and hence no discomfort and the elbow joint can move freely. With overuse, the cartilage might start to break down. And when this happens, the elbow joint can experience stiffness, inflammation, inability to move as well as pain. At this point, you might hear your elbow cracking when you try to make some kind of movement. It is recommended to ask an orthopedist regarding the problem if you suffer from the problem of osteoarthritis.

Fatigue From Overworking

You might not know and understand, but with the other body parts, the elbow also needs adequate rest so that it can recover from the fatigue well. The hip joints, knees, and elbows are the most stressed and overworked areas in the body. People involved in labor-intensive jobs have to undergo lots of pushing, bending, pulling, extending etc which puts lots of pressure on the muscles and the joints in the hands and legs. When the pressure exceeds its limits, the elbow joint might not be able to extend itself or bend as much as needed or to the extent, it should be able to. Making movements forcefully might lead to elbow cracking or popping sound. Do not ignore the problem if the stress levels in the joints are increasing with time as they might cause irreparable damage if not handled at the right time.

Tennis Elbow

You might have heard the term tennis elbow before. Many athletes and players suffer from this problem along with general people. Generally, along with elbow cracking, tennis elbow will make the joint extremely painful as well as making movements restricted. The elbow might become tender to touch and holding, pressing or other kinds of activity might make the elbow pain worse. You can ask a doctor online if you are facing these symptoms along with the cracking sound of the elbows and take proper remedial steps for the same. The worst part about tennis elbow is that very normal activities like cooking, gardening, painting, plumbing, weight lifting, working on computers for long periods etc can lead to the problem. Elbow cracking with pain should never be ignored and attended to immediately before the thing gets really serious and severe.

How to stop Elbow Cracking – Some Ways Which are Helpful

When you work out or even otherwise, it is recommended to stretch the arms and legs so that the muscles and the joints warm up. This helps in preventing dislocations and painful strains, which might cause elbow cracking. Along with this, there are other medical practices like acupuncture or chiropractic treatments, which can help with the problem of cracking elbows successfully without any kind of side effects. However, before doing any such treatment, it is good to seek opinion and consultation with a doctor and even better from an orthopaedist. Cure the problem right in the beginning to avoid further painful experiences.

[cl-review quote=”Medically Reviewed By” author=”Dr. Kaushal M. Bhavsar (MBBS, MD)” occupation=”Assistant Professor in Pulmonary Medicine, GMERS Medical College, Ahmedabad” avatar_image=”1325″ source=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fdr-kaushal-bhavsar-a8137355%2F|target:_blank”]