In medicine, there are many different terms that are understandable only to doctors. If they are heard by a person who is not related to a medical case, he does not understand what is at stake. One of the most common concepts is “crepitation”. This word can be heard from many doctors during the checkup. What is crepitation? This will be discussed in this article.
Crepitus: description and types of symptom
The term in the medical field means a crispy characteristic sound detected by palpation (palpation) or auscultation (listening).
There are several types of crepitus:
- Bone. A crispy sound appears due to friction of bone fragments that touch each other. This type is revealed by listening and probing, and also as a specific symptom in bone fracture. It can be used to diagnose fractures at the time of the first examination of the victim.
- Subcutaneous crepitus. This is a symptom that occurs when listening or palpation at those moments when there is pressure on the head with the membrane on areas of the body that have accumulations of gas bubbles in the subcutaneous tissue. A symptom is characteristic of subcutaneous emphysema or anaerobic infection.
- Alveolar crepitus. This is a symptom determined by listening to the lungs. It resembles the sound arising from the friction of hair that is sandwiched between fingers. This specific symptom occurs in acute pneumonia. They are accompanied by the stages of the appearance and absorption of exudate in the alveoli. Alveolar crepitus is heard as a series of clicks in the highest phase of inspiration.
You can also distinguish a peculiar tendon crepitus that occurs when probing a swelling in the place of the tendon, which is affected by tendovaginitis.
During movement, a crackling sound may also occur in the joints. Joint crepitation is a characteristic symptom of osteoarthritis. This disease is also called osteoarthrosis. With it, the cartilage tissue of the surfaces of the joints is affected, and treatment takes a very long time.
Crepitus: causes of the symptom
The main reason is the friction of tissues in the body that goes beyond the normal range.
Alveolar crepitus occurs as a result of “sticking” at the moments of inspiration of the alveolar walls, which stuck together during exhalation due to the presence in the alveoli of transudate, exudate or blood. This type of crepitus is heard in the following cases:
- At the 1st and 3rd stages of croupous pneumonia.
- In case of pulmonary infarction.
- With congestion in the lungs.
Also, the symptom can be heard in the lungs with alveolar lesions, which are caused by systemic diseases.
The subcutaneous type of crepitus is found in:
- With subcutaneous emphysema.
- The presence of anaerobic pathogens.
You can also identify this type with the introduction of gas in various parts of the body for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment.
Crepitus arising in the joints is observed:
- With rheumatoid arthritis.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Kneecap dysfunction.
Symptoms of Crepitus
If there is a crunch, it is possible that this is a symptom of a disease that can threaten a person’s life. It is very difficult to independently identify crepitus. Other symptoms that accompany it depend on the causes and location.
Crepitations in the lungs may be accompanied by blueness of the skin and lips, rapid breathing, shortness of breath and coughing, nausea or vomiting, a feeling of pressure or chest pain.
The following symptoms are also possible, depending on the disease:
- Loose stool.
- Sweating.
- Hemoptysis.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Loss of consciousness.
The main symptom of subcutaneous crepitus is the presence of swelling of the subcutaneous tissue.
Crepitus of bone fragments may be accompanied by impaired function, pain in the injured area, edema and hematoma, which may appear later.
Joint crepitus is accompanied by pain in unhealthy joints, which increases with exertion, swelling, and poor mobility. Local fever and redness of the skin are also possible.
Diagnostics
Most often, the symptom in the lungs is heard. The sound may resemble wheezing and crunching, which change their caliber when coughing.
Also, crepitus can manifest itself as a noise arising from the friction of the pleura, which is inflamed. The noise can have a long duration and can be heard both when inhaling and when exhaling.
A bone symptom is detected by feeling the fracture site, and sound is often heard even at a distance.
Subcutaneous crepitus is also diagnosed by palpation.
Joint is determined by feeling a sore joint. In this case, the patient's complaints are taken into account. The reason is established using x-ray examination.
Crepitus Treatment
Since this is a symptom, not a disease, treatment is not possible. And elimination of crepitus will turn out only in the case of treatment of the pathology that caused it. Depending on the underlying disease, only the doctor can prescribe the correct treatment, as a result of which the symptom will disappear.