Definition
Breastbone crackling is a sound that emanates from the joints between the sternum and the two collarbones or from the connections to the ribs. The sounds can occur, for example, when stretching the upper body or changing position, such as standing up from a sitting position. The cracking is not always accompanied by an audible sound, but sometimes it is only felt by the person affected. Breastbone cracking is generally harmless and does not indicate a serious illness. It may be associated with tension, which in turn can lead to pain and restricted movement.
Causes
The sternum, as the central bone of the front thorax, is connected to the ribs via many small joints and to the shoulders and arms via the collarbone. It is in motion with every breath and every rotation of the body. Because of these many connections and the mobility, there is often a cracking at the sternum, which can have various causes.
In most cases, however, it remains unclear what exactly is responsible for the cracking. Most of those affected have no further complaints and the cracking at the sternum is without any disease value. In some cases, the cause of the noises can be assumed to be poor posture or incorrect strain.
Especially people who sit a lot and support their elbows, for example, often suffer from muscular tension. In addition to other complaints, this can also cause a cracking sound in the sternum. This can be explained by the fact that the tensed muscle fibers exert tension on the individual bone elements.
If the body position is changed or the upper body is stretched, the ribs or clavicles jump back into their correct position, which is then perceived as a cracking sound in the sternum. However, it has not been proven exactly how such noises occur at joints. Another explanation is that bubbles of nitrogen accumulate in the small joints between the bones, which burst when the bones are moved and thus trigger the cracking.
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