When you bend or extend your elbow, you may hear cracking, grinding, popping, or clicking sounds. Even if the noise is painless, you are not alone if your first instinct is to make an appointment with a doctor to ask, “Why does my elbow pop?” In this blog, we will explore the reasons behind elbow popping and when you should consider seeking medical attention from a board-certified orthopedic specialist at EmergeOrtho—Triangle Region.
The Anatomy of the Elbow
To answer the question “Why does my elbow pop?” it is helpful to start by looking at the elbow’s anatomy.
The elbow is a complex joint with three bones: the humerus, radius, and ulna. Each of the bones has cartilage on its ends, surrounded by ligaments that form the joint capsule. The joint capsule is a fluid-filled sac that protects and lubricates the joint.
In addition to the bones, your elbow is a connection point for the muscles and tendons that support arm function. Many of your forearm muscles, for example, run across the elbow joint and connect to the humerus. These tendons are the most common areas of tendinitis, which can cause pain and occasionally elbow popping.
Additional muscles attached near the elbow joint via tendons and ligaments include the biceps and triceps on the front and back of your upper arm. The radial, ulnar, and median nerves also travel past the elbow and may be affected by a joint injury.
So Why Does My Elbow Pop?
In many cases, elbow popping is harmless. If you hear a popping noise with no other symptoms, such as pain, swelling, limited motion, locking of the joint, or weakness, it is most likely nothing to worry about.
As we age, the cartilage at the end of the arm bones gradually wears away, resulting in the bones themselves rubbing together and causing more sounds. Again, these sounds are fairly common (unless you have pain, stiffness, or limited range of motion) and should not cause concern as long as you have no other symptoms.
Elbow popping and cracking noises can also be due to buildup of gas inside the joint. Nitrogen gas naturally builds up in the spaces inside your joint, and when you move, it causes cavitation that pushes the gas out. The same process causes the snapping sound when you crack your knuckles.
Overuse can also cause joint sounds like elbow clicking. When you repeatedly bend your elbow, such as when lifting weights, a popping or clicking, or grinding sound could indicate that your muscles are tight and need more stretching. Sometimes, the sound comes from tendons sliding over the bone, which can also be alleviated by proper stretching.
Common Elbow Injuries and Conditions
If you have pain in addition to elbow noises, especially if you hear a loud “pop” followed by intense pain and swelling, then the issue is likely more severe and needs medical attention. Some of the most common injuries and conditions include:
- Biceps Tendon Tear at the Elbow: Although not an especially common injury, it involves a loud pop, intense pain, bruising, a change in the appearance of the muscle (bulge), and weakness when the bicep muscle detaches from the elbow joint.
- Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis): Inflammation or micro-tearing of the elbow tendons is caused by overuse, common among tennis and racquet sports players, with symptoms including popping sounds, worsening pain on the outside of the elbow, and a weak grip.
- Osteoarthritis: Joint deterioration with age, progressing to arthritis in some cases, is most common in individuals who have experienced an elbow injury in the past or overuse of the joint.
When To See a Doctor
If you hear your elbow clicking only occasionally and are not experiencing joint pain or discomfort, you probably do not need to see a doctor.
However, if the noise worsens and you experience a change in mobility of the joint or swelling and persistent pain, make an appointment to see an orthopedic specialist. Depending on the condition of your joint, treatment will likely include a combination of rest, immobilization, medications, cold therapy, and physical therapy. Surgery may be necessary in extreme cases but is typically only recommended when less invasive treatments are ineffective.
Noises coming from your elbow joint can be alarming, particularly when they occur suddenly. However, the board-certified orthopedic doctors at EmergeOrtho—Triangle Region are here to help identify and treat elbow injuries.
Conclusion
Understanding why your elbow pops and its potential reasons is the first step in addressing any concerns about your joint’s health. If you have persistent pain, swelling, or discomfort with popping sounds, do not hesitate to seek the expertise of EmergeOrtho’s providers.
You can self-schedule your appointment online or call us anytime at (984) 279-3650. Our orthopedic specialists are dedicated to helping you find answers and the right treatment for your elbow to regain your range of motion and live pain-free.
