A popping sound that occurs as a result of the tissues touching together is called as crepitus. It is an 

interaction between air, fluid or bone and results in producing sounds which is abnormal. Other 

than this there are a variety of causes such as rough joint surfaces moving against one another. It 

can also be caused because of tendons snapping a bony prominence. Normally there are fluids in  

the joints and when the joints move the fluids in the joints make a popping sound due to change in  

pressure. Weakness or pain may be associated with this condition. 

 

      Symptoms include different sounds like crackling, grinding, cracking, creaking, grating and popping 

which is less common. Crepitus can occur with or without pain and if it occurs without pain it 

indicates nothing serious and is meaningless. Crepitus accompanied with pain should be taken 

seriously and medical treatment should be sought. Shoulder crepitus treatment mainly depends 

on its cause. 
 

      There are medical conditions like arthritis that causes crepitus in knees, shoulders and other joints 

of the body. So a medical checkup should be done if pain persists. Sometimes people tend to get 

pain due to the cold climate and in that case a simple massage would do. If arthritis causes crepitus 

then arthritis treatment is provided. 

 

       As shoulder crepitus treatment gentle exercises can be done within the limits of comforts. 

Exercises are done to preserve and increase the range of motion and also to provide strength. If 

there is associated pain then heavy exercises should be avoided. Let us see some motion exercises  

for shoulder crepitus. First comes the pendulum exercise warm up. In this exercise choose a chair  

and sit on the edge of it by bracing your left hand on your right thigh. Now lean slightly forward and  

to the right side. In a relaxed fashion allow your right hand to dangle along your right side. Gently  

swing the arm in circles, back and forth and in reverse directions. Now come back to the normal  

position and execute the same exercise with your left arm. This exercise provides warm ups to the  

rotator cuffs a group of muscles that which rotates and hold the shoulder. You can learn more at http://injuredshoulder.com/shoulder-crepitus/
 

      Hold the towel with your palms down and about a shoulder width apart. Now raise the arms up to  

the height of your shoulder by keeping the elbows straight. You can repeat this exercise and 

increase the height each time till you raise your hand above your head. Relax for a while and repeat 

the same exercise to see the difference. Next exercise is also done with the towel, where you will be 

holding the towel in your hand and raise your hand above your head. Now gently lower the towel 

and reach the height of your head. Repeat the exercise 3 or 4 times and at last try to bring the towel 

behind your head. When you do this exercise make sure that your elbows are straight as it might be 

in effective if the elbows are folded.