1. < Bones, Joints & Muscles

My neck started cracking. Arthritis? Any ideas?

Posted by Barco@2194 @wgatap21, Jan 12, 2020

Not sure if this common but am hearing it is. Turned 70, still in pretty good shape. Out of the blue, my neck started cracking(not loud) but very often. Amazing annoying especially in a quiet room. Long story short. I went to the appropriate doctor, and she was not surprised. Took x-ray and then MRI.
Not surprising arthritis mainly. Honestly, no pain thank God. Explained the results(Good/Bad news). Not much can be done without a surgical procedure
and could try therapy. My therapist said "please don't waste your money" and showed me a few exercises for the neck, but honestly can be done at home, to try and strengthen the muscles around the area, and appropriate posture. Wondering if anyone's neck cracks this much out there? I mean many times all day. Solution?(Not that the Dr. was wrong! Thanks and have a good day?

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lioness | @lioness | Jan 19, 2020
In reply to @quiteachiver75 "THANKS FOR YOUR POST INTERESTING READ JUST NEED TO LIVE WITH IT. Take care" + (show)
@quiteachiver75

THANKS FOR YOUR POST INTERESTING READ JUST NEED TO LIVE WITH IT. Take care

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@I think your right certainly not worth havening surgery

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Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Jan 19, 2020
In reply to @artscaping "@wgatap21, @colleenyoung, This is a post-surgery image of my titanium inserts. Evidently, sometimes the cracking is..." + (show)
@artscaping

@wgatap21, @colleenyoung, This is a post-surgery image of my titanium inserts. Evidently, sometimes the cracking is because one of the fusions did not fuse well enough. My surgeon warned me to wear the full brace for 3 months in order to ensure that the fusion was complete. I only threw the darn thing across the room once....when its annoyance overcame my caution.

Another thought is that the ligaments in the neck can pop or snap across the metal when the head is turned. To prevent that, I had my yoga guru design neck stretches for me. As long as I make them part of my daily practice, I don't hear the popping so much. And when I do hear it and feel it....not pain, just weird movement and sounds, I take a few moments to stretch the muscles and get things aligned again.

Do you make sure that your body is in alignment every day? What do you use to make sure?

May you be content and at ease. Chris

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@colleenyoung @artscaping @wgatap21 My physical therapist told me that often cracking comes from the facet joints in the spine. These joints slide to allow you to turn your head. If you have extra pressure on them due to muscle spasms or bad discs that are loosing height, it causes arthritis wear and tear in the facet joints, and it can be a little painful when they crack as they slide past each other. Myofacial release helps this because it helps to keep the balance between the 2 sides of the neck.

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Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Jan 23, 2020

@jenniferhunter, @wgatap21, Thanks, Jennifer.......I checked it out with my MFR therapist. She has been listening to those cracks and clicks for some time now. Once she gets everything loosened up in there......I can even turn my neck quietly. Chris

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1 reply
Barco@2194 | @wgatap21 | Jan 23, 2020
In reply to @artscaping "@jenniferhunter, @wgatap21, Thanks, Jennifer.......I checked it out with my MFR therapist. She has been listening to..." + (show)
@artscaping

@jenniferhunter, @wgatap21, Thanks, Jennifer.......I checked it out with my MFR therapist. She has been listening to those cracks and clicks for some time now. Once she gets everything loosened up in there......I can even turn my neck quietly. Chris

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unfortunately mine is dealing with arthritis. Good for yoiu. thx

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nancyguy | @nancyguy | Jan 24, 2020

To wgatap: For many, many years, my neck has made cracking sounds at times, and is often sore and stiff, especially in the mornings. After a little exercise: Slowly move head side to side, up and down, also "rectangular" (to one side, then up, across a bit to other side, then down and across). This eliminates the pain immediately. Sometimes I do it a few times daily. It also immediately stops ringing in my ears (get occasionally). About 60 years ago, a chiropractor wanted to put a brace on my neck; I refused and did not return to him. I do so hope this message will help you and all others who are experiencing this condition. Good luck and God bless!
Nancy Guy

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Barco@2194 | @wgatap21 | Jan 24, 2020

very interesting...but I had an MRI on my neck and arthritis is definitely there...very difficult to eliminate without some serious surgery. Some exercise may help, but the cure is difficult I understand. Glad to hear you are doing well...God Bless

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Barco@2194 | @wgatap21 | Feb 8, 2020
In reply to @colleenyoung "@wgatap21 how often does your neck crack? Daily? Is it when you move a certain way?..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@wgatap21 how often does your neck crack? Daily? Is it when you move a certain way? My neck cracks, rather loudly, once in a while (maybe once a month). It's quite loud and disconcerting, but I haven't pin-pointed what leads to this happening.

Are you planning to go to physical therapy to get exercises to build your neck muscles? If surgery can be avoided that would be my preference.

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It’s constant. not loud. 2 doctors. certain exercises some arthritis and slight disc problem. very hard to eliminate! thx

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TERESA LOGAN | @quiteachiver75 | Feb 8, 2020

HELLO YES MY NECK CRACKS ONLY RIGHT SIDE DISCS HAVE LOTS OF WEAR & TEAR AND HAVE ALSO ARTHRITIS AT THIS TIME I WILL WAIT FOR SURGERY IT GETS SORE BEARABLE HAVE HAD ABLATION 2 TIMES FOR SOME RELIEF GOOD LUCK 😉

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kay71 | @kay71 | Feb 9, 2020

Yes, and the physical therapy helps so much. Do anything to avoid surgery.

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Barco@2194 | @wgatap21 | Feb 10, 2020

Interesting. I went tp Phys Therapy...Good guy. trying to be helpful. save $$. But he said the cracking is a tough one. Many people come to him with cracking necks and he gave a paper with 4 easy exercises. After all, I did have an X-Ray & Mri and Dr said probably more disc movement in the upper spine than arthritis in neck. But a crack 100 times+ a day. Not loud to others but to me, annoying! Just anything you remember in therapy on your neck that
helped. Thx for the response! Have a great day. JB

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