Hey there.

I was wondering if anyone else deals with cracking noises in RSD limbs? You know that sound you hear when you crack your knuckles? Well, that is what happens quite frequently when I move my arms, legs, back, and fingers!

Anyone else or is it just me?

I get them really bad in my worst RSD area. My right wrist. For me they sometimes hurt. I had one, that sent me into a 3 day flare.

They do not always hurt and I do get them in my hands and elbows occasionally. Sometimes, my fingers just feel like they need to crack. Like there is a pressure inside. Once I crack them, the feeling goes away.

Rain

I frequently crack my fingers and my wrist cracks just moving them, they don't stop! I was once told this is a build up of carbon dioxide, not sure. But, I need to crack, I am a "crack" addict - Both hands from the elbow down are effected w/RSD and moving up my right arm now. Hey, my saying is if it helps, do it!
According to the encyclopedia:
"When a manipulation is performed, the force applied separates the articular surfaces of a fully encapsulated synovial joint, which in turn creates a reduction in pressure within the joint cavity. In this low pressure environment, some of the gases that are dissolved in the synovial fluid (which are naturally found in all bodily fluids) leave solution creating a bubble or cavity, which rapidly collapses upon itself, resulting in a 'clicking' sound. The contents of this gas bubble are thought to be mainly carbon dioxide.[1] The effects of this process will remain for a period of time known as the 'refractory period', which can range from a few minutes to some hours while it is slowly reabsorbed back into the synovial fluid. There is some evidence that ligament laxity may be associated with an increased tendency to cavitate.[2]"
Hang in there!

Sometimes I think Im cracking up!

Yes, I get them all the time in various places but it really doesn't bother me. Don't
think about it. Does it give you pain? It does not give me any pain.

Good Luck

Ann

I get them in my wrists alot- Like the rest of u said- they usally don't hurt but occl there are zingers!

Just hurts a teeny bit from my body jerking a little bit.


Thanks for your explanation, SeptMystic. That is what I was thinking, as someone else suggested that theory to me.

Thanks everyone else for your experiences.

I'll be darned. I had figured it was coincidence.

My L elbow and wrist sound like a machine gun a few times per day. I believe the popping is caused by fluid build up in the joints but can't imagine why RSD would cause excessive build up.

I believe the reason that the cracking is happening so often is because people with RSD don't move normally and so the fluid builds up.

Maybe?!