Is it normal to pop your chest bone

Anyone who thinks they are experiencing a heart attack should receive emergency medical attention. Tietze syndrome is a rare condition that causes inflammation in the ribs. The inflammation typically occurs where the second and third ribs attach to the breastbone, according to The National Organization for Rare Disorders. The area will likely swell and may be painful to the touch. The pain may also spread to the arms and neck.

A chronic stress or anxiety disorder can cause tension in the chest. This tension can contribute to symptoms such as a popping sound or pain. In some cases, a person having a panic attack may confuse the symptoms for those of a heart attack. Learn more about symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks here. A study in the journal Heart, Lung and Circulation noted that in the first few months after cardiac surgery, the sternum may move slightly during activities that involve the upper body.

While this movement is slight, it may cause popping sounds in the sternum as the structures shift. A popping sternum is not usually a cause for concern. However, anyone who notices swelling or pain in the area should see a doctor. While working to determine the underlying cause of these symptoms, the doctor will likely recommend treatments to help bring down the swelling and relieve any pain. Depending on the cause and severity of the pain, the doctor may recommend prescription-strength medications or over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen Advil or naproxen Aleve , which can also reduce swelling.

Similarly, applying an ice pack wrapped in a towel to the chest for 20 minutes at a time may also relieve symptoms of muscle and connective tissue injuries. If an injury to the area is responsible for the sound, the doctor will likely recommend rest.

Avoiding overexertion — by taking a break from any heavy exercises that involve the shoulders, back, or chest — may reduce pressure and help injuries heal. Because this sound sometimes results from an injury, taking steps to reduce the risk of injury can help. For instance, stretching the muscles fully before and after strenuous workouts can help prevent muscle spasms and tightness that can lead to sprains and strains.

When stress or anxiety causes symptoms in the chest, finding ways to lower stress levels can help. A popping or cracking sound in the sternum is generally not a cause for concern. However, anyone who wonders about the cause may wish to see a doctor. This is especially important when any other symptoms, such as pain or swelling, accompany the sound. These may indicate an injury or another health issue in the area. Symptoms that can accompany a popping sound in the sternum can resemble those of a heart attack.

Anyone who experiences indications of a heart attack or other troubling chest symptoms should seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms may include:. These issues can indicate angina or a heart attack, and they require immediate medical attention. The experience of a heart attack can vary by sex — learn about heart attack symptoms in females here. The sternum is wired back together after the surgery to facilitate proper healing.

During the healing phase, the wired sternum is vulnerable to the expansion of breathing muscles, which may loosen the wires over time. Too much activity, violent sneezing or coughing before the sternum is completely healed can result in incomplete healing of the two sides of the bone. Chest wall stabilization has been proven to be an effective treatment for this condition. This procedure uses titanium metal plates to bridge the fractured bone and give it the much-needed stability it lacks.

Chest wall stabilization has low recurrence and complication rates. In a review of treatments for sternal nonunion and instability in the Annals of Plastic Surgery published in January , all subjects who underwent the above mentioned procedure experienced a successful outcome.

The pain was completely resolved in all patients, wounds healed to completion and there was no incidence of subsequent infection. Joints often pop during movement as gas is released. Most of the time, joint popping is normal and does not cause pain. Consult a doctor if you have pain with rib cage popping or difficulty breathing. Your ligaments connect to your rib bones and control the range of movement within your joints. If these connective tissues become tight — for example, through weightlifting exercises such as the bench press — they will move less smoothly over the bones in your joints.

As a result, they might grate or snap over your rib joints when you stretch, making a popping noise as they move into the new position. Read more: Rib Cage Stretching Exercises. An injury to your chest can place additional pressure on the muscles in your chest and your rib joints, which can ultimately lead to rib cage popping. It can also damage your ligaments and tendons, which may cause subluxation — or bone slipping — in the joints.

This occurs when the connective tissues are unable to adequately support your rib joints through their normal range of movement during a stretch, causing a condition called slipping rib syndrome , according to Medical News Today. Instead, the injured ligaments or tendons snap out of position and can make a popping sound as they do so. The joints in your rib cage are cushioned by cartilage, which is covered in a membrane of synovial fluid.