Snap or pop felt or heard at the time of injury
Ligaments are tough, ropelike fibers that connect bone to bone and help stabilize joints. When a ligament moves abnormally, you may feel or hear a snap or pop sound. Treatment is usually not needed unless you have pain or other symtpoms..
An injury that causes pain and you hear or feel a snap or pop may be more serious. Pain may be caused by:
- A tear in a ligament.
- A tear in one of the tough, ropelike fibers that connect muscle to bone (tendon).
- A tear or displacement of the protective cushion that lines the joint space (cartilage).
- A broken bone (fracture).
- An injury that pulls or pushes a bone out of its normal relationship to the other bones that make up a joint (dislocation).
Prompt treatment can prevent complications and promote healing.
| Author: | Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC | Last Updated: August 31, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine | |
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