Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCauses of Joint CrepitusCauses of Lung CrepitusDiagnosisTreatmentWhen to See a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes of Joint Crepitus
Causes of Lung Crepitus
Diagnosis
Treatment
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Crepitus(KREP-ih-dus) is the abnormal popping or crackling sound in either a joint, like a knuckle or knee, or in the lungs. It may be faint or loud enough for people to hear. It often comes with a popping or crunching sensation, which can sometimes be uncomfortable or painful.
The termcrepitusis derived from the Latin for “rattling” or “creaking.” Crepitus is not a condition, but rather a descriptive quality. Healthcare providers use it to help pinpoint the source of a problem.
This article explains crepitus and some of its causes in the joints or the lungs. It also discusses how crepitus can be a part of diagnosing and then treating a condition.
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What Causes Joint Crepitus?
Crepitus of the joints is typically related to joint damage. It may occur in tandem with a joint disorder or entirely independently. Joints that most often experience crepitus include:
Crepitus of the joints is generally only a problem when the popping is progressive, meaning it continues or worsens over time. It also needs treatment if you have other symptoms of joint damage, infection, or injury.
Joint Damage
Crepitus can occur when the rough surfaces of two joints rub together. This causes the cartilage and bone to grate against each other physically.
When there is pain, it is typically related to advanced joint damage. Pain also may be due to the compression or squeezing of nerves between the narrowed joint spaces. It is at this stage that the joint may begin to show signs of injury, including:
Osteoarthritis(“wear-and-tear arthritis”) is a common cause of this type of joint injury.Crepitus can occur with other forms of arthritis, though. These include:
While any joint can be affected, the symptoms are most common in the knees, hands, feet, lower back, hips, and shoulders.
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What Causes Lung Crepitus?
Most people think of the joints when they think of crepitus, but the term can also describe audible crackling sounds in the lungs. Crepitus in the lungs is caused when collapsed or fluid-filled air sacs abruptly open when you breathe.
Also referred to as crackles orrales, the sounds are related to lung abnormalities. Most often, the sounds signal that there may be lung scarring or a buildup of excess fluid.
Among some of the conditions for which rales are common:
How is Crepitus Diagnosed?
The diagnostic process for determining the cause of crepitus can vary depending on the part of the body where the sounds are coming from, the severity, and any accompanying symptoms.
Identifying Joint Disorders
In some cases, the popping of a joint may be more irritating than anything else. It may not warrant an extensive investigation or any treatment.
If there is pain, inflammation, or restriction of motion, your healthcare provider may order tests to pinpoint the cause. They may choose from several tests.
Imaging
Imaging tests may detect or help confirm a bone or joint injury. These tests can range from a basic X-ray or ultrasound to acomputed tomography (CT)scan, which uses multiple views to create a three-dimensional image of the joint.
Amagnetic resonance imaging (MRI)scan may better detect any soft tissue damage.
Blood Tests
Your healthcare provider may order blood tests to check for infection or inflammation. For example, about 80% of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have the presence of a marker called rheumatoid factor (RF) in their bloodstream. A blood test for RF would show this.
Antibodies Tests
Tests forantibodiesalso are used to confirm RA and other autoimmune disorders. These occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues.
Antibody tests are used to see if your body makes specific proteins, such as antinuclear antibody (ANA), that point to a disorder or its underlying cause.
Arthrocentesis
Anarthrocentesisis a procedure done to remove fluid from a joint space with a needle. The fluid is then sent to a lab and analyzed under a microscope for any fluid abnormalities or cells that suggest an infection or inflammation.
Identifying Lung Disorders
Crepitus of the lungs is never considered normal, so the cause needs to be diagnosed. The tests your healthcare provider will order depend on your symptoms and your medical history.
In many cases, these tests will include a chest X-ray or other imaging needed to view the lungs and blood tests meant to find or identify an infection. They also may include pulse oximetry and heart function tests.
Pulse Oximetry
Pulse oximetryis used to measure the level of oxygen in your blood. The test relies on a simple probe, often clipped to your fingertip, to do so.
A low oxygen level can suggest that the rales, or crepitus in the lungs, may be linked toheart failure, pneumonia, or another condition.
Electrocardiogram
Anelectrocardiogram(EKG) or anechocardiogrammay be used to check for heart irregularities.
How is Crepitus Treated?
Treatment for any conditions that cause crepitus will depend on the diagnosis. As a result, these treatments may vary widely.
In some cases, such as mild joint inflammation, basic interventions may help. Others may require complicated surgery to treat a serious heart or lung condition.
Joint Disorders
Treatment for a joint disorder may involve
When you return to routine exercise after treatment for a joint injury, expect some modifications. Low-impact activities and using lighter weights can help keep crepitus in check.
Lung Disorders
Treatment for crepitus related to a lung disorder can vary, depending on the underlying cause and whether it has come on suddenly or is chronic.
Healthcare providers will typically treat bacterial pneumonia or bronchitis with antibiotics. Viral infections may be treated with antiviral drugs but are often allowed to run their course with bed rest and plenty of fluids.
Chronic conditions usually require lifestyle changes. These may include:
Conditions like COPD will generally require medication with oral or inhaledcorticosteroidsandbronchodilators. Pulmonary rehabilitation and oxygen therapy can help prevent disease progression and allow you to maintain a quality of life.
Surgery also may be an option for people with advanced lung disease when all other treatments fail. A lung transplant is a last resort for those with no longer functional lungs.
How Heart Failure Is Treated
Crepitus in joints on its own is usually harmless. If you crack your knuckles, neck, or back and there isn’t pain, you probably don’t have anything too concerning going on.
If you note crepitus in your lungs, see a healthcare provider to rule out anything that might need treatment with antibiotics, like bacterial pneumonia. If you are having difficulty breathing, seek immediate medical care.
Summary
Crepitus is an abnormal sound that can be found in your joints as well as your lungs. The popping or crackling doesn’t always mean there’s a medical problem. However, that’s often the case when it arises with other symptoms, such as pain in a joint or difficulty breathing.
In the joints, crepitus is often associated with inflammation or infection. It also may be a sign of joint injury, such as a torn rotator cuff. Crepitus of the lungs often occurs with heart and lung diseases, such as COPD.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the crepitus, the results of any tests, and the level of intervention needed.
6 Sources
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