Diagnosis | Crackling on the sternum

Diagnosis

A crackling in the breastbone, which is accompanied by no further complaints, is usually not diagnosed at all, as it is a natural sound emanating from the body and has no disease value whatsoever. In order to investigate the suspicion whether muscular tension may be partly responsible for the cracking, the doctor will ask if the patient suffers from pain in the area of the chest when moving. The only possible diagnosis is a brief physical examination, during which the doctor will look for incorrect posture, asymmetries or a restriction in mobility. Additional measures, such as x-ray imaging, are not appropriate in the case of a crack in the sternum and should be avoided due to unnecessary radiation exposure.

Therapy

Since cracking of the sternum is something completely normal and has no disease value, no treatment is necessary as long as it is the only symptom. However, if the patient also suffers from muscular tension and symptoms such as pain and limited mobility, treatment should be given to alleviate or eliminate these symptoms in the long term. The aim is to improve posture and stabilize the trunk.

The most important measure here is movement, so that the muscles are strengthened and the joints remain flexible. Suitable sports include swimming, cycling or Nordic walking. Regular walks are also valuable, especially in the case of sedentary work, to help maintain physical balance. A back training course over several weeks to strengthen the back muscles is also recommended in many cases, although the costs are usually covered to a large extent by health insurance. If the muscular tensions, in addition to a cracking in the sternum, cause severe pain that hinders physical activity, a short-term intake of an analgesic may be indicated.

Duration

The cracking of the sternum usually occurs at irregular intervals during movement such as stretching after getting up from bed and then lasts only for a fraction of a second. In some people, the sound can be repeatedly provoked by certain movements. On some days, the crackling can be louder and more intense, while on others it is absent.

Often it accompanies the affected person throughout his or her life without any consequences. If, on the other hand, an acute trigger is related to the cracking of the sternum, such as muscular tension, the duration often corresponds to the time over which the tension persists. If the sternum has been cracking for a long period of time without any further symptoms, this is completely harmless and no reason to see a doctor.