Hey gang,

Tough one to explain but here goes. T-11 complete para and just lately noticed a wierd thing happening. When leaning a certain way (usually forward & back) while in my chair, I "feel" what appears to be bones rubbing and making a dull popping noise in my tailbone area. I can feel the popping and can make it happen continually after locating the exact movement it takes to make it happen. When I say I can feel it, I mean I know there is a bone that feels like it's rubbing on another bone or popping in and out of socket. It's not a loud or violent thing, just a subtle pop for lack of a better word. Any thoughts?

Don't know bud, never heard of anything like it yet!
Perhaps your tail is growing j/k
Are you sure it's not you hip making noise?

Not sure.....I guess it could be my hip. Ever happen to you?

Yeah, I've had weird hip movements especially when I'm siting on the hard surface toilet!
I really never questioned it! Muscle distrofie will do that to us.

any hardware near there? I got a rod that affects my rib up front and makes it pop like that...

yes i get the rub all the time but i beleve it either my rods doing it r whatever kind of metal i got holding my hips together due to a shatter pelvis in my wreck i wouldnt worry about it for real

nah, no hardware......maybe just my hip ball joint or something. Nothing to worry about?

My right hip joint pops all the time (heh, pop and lock hip) - if you can recreate it, try putting your hand over different joints to see where it's coming from. Personally, I'd bring it up with my physio on the next appt to make sure everything was kosher, but if it isn't causing any pain...

I can re-create the noise very easily by leaning forward or my leaning to the right. If I lean to the left, it doesn't happen. I've tried using my hands as you said to try and locate its origin, however, can't seem to find the spot. I've tried over and over. I don't have any Dr's appt in the near future, but just wonder if I should be seen in the near future. As far as I know, thi s has just started happening. No changes in chair, seat cushion etc. I dunno

Hi there! First post for me. I don't know how long you've been sci, but after a few years I got some heavy calcification in my hips which effectively dislocated them. I can't remember now how much time had passed before xrays revealed it, but I'm guessing about 4 to 5 years after I was injured. I also get the heavy pop/grinding sound when moving particular ways, but other than the creep factor of internally grinding, it hasn't been any problem. Like other things, I guess you get used to it over time. Next time you see a doc, run this notion up the flagpole, a quick xray might satisfy your curiousity.

Been hurt for 13yrs so that certainly is a solid guess, and I appreciate your input. I never thought of calcium deposits, but I'll run that by my doc on my next visit, hoping to ease my mind. thanks again for all past and future responses

I have HO (Heterotopic Ossification) in my left hip, that formed as a direct result of the SCI.
Turns out that it's not uncommon for calcium deposits to form around certain joints, like elbow, shoulder, or hip, from the surrounding muscles into calcium.

Maybe it just happens naturally also, as bone density becomes weaker from years of sitting.
I was requested by a therapist to do some exercises in a standing frame machine. But upon her learning that I haven't stood since my injury 4 years ago, I was informed how dangerous it would be due to the decrease in bone density in my legs.

Funny you mention the standing frame. I stand religiously each day during the week for about an hour. I made it a part of my morning routine and I love the feeling. I use the Easystand stationary frame, not the Glider model. I've stood for years and hoped that by doing so, would prevent whatever is going on in my hips, back etc. I'm relatively certain it's something to do with my right leg. This morning as I sat in bed with my legs extended in front of me, I rotated my right leg to the left and right as it layed on the bed. I could hear the noise, however, not nearly as bad as when I'm in my chair. Maybe an issue of where my femur conects to my hip? Planning a Dr appt when I return from vacation to put my mind to rest. At least I can then deal with the problem being a serious one or not. HUGE Sigh

I'd bring it up to the Dr. & or PT or physio or whom ever it is that sees you for SCI related stuff. Could be nothing, could be something; but best to KNOW which it is.

I had a similar thing for years before a p.t. told me it was the ball joint in my hip popping in and out. It wasn't painful, just noticeable and loud. I have luque rods which are fastened to my pelvic bone but they grind and make weird sounds occasionally as well. Ask a p.t. or your doctor, I suppose, but it's probably nothing to be panicked about. Well, unless you're on your way to creating a charcot (sp?) joint but that's supposed to be extremely painful. Might be something you can cut off at the pass.