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Fell On Face, Grinding Noise, Occasional Popping At Base Of Skull When Turning Head

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Posted on Thu, 20 Sep 2012
Question: I fell on my face and heard a grinding noise. No pain at first after 3 days I have grinding noise and occasional popping at the base of my skull when I turn my head
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (3 hours later)
Hi,
Thank you for contacting Healthcare Magic.
It is unlikely to have symptoms like what you have three days after the fall. Pain is the commonest symptom. If you have pain then it could be related to the fall. Presence of swelling or redness at the affected area may also be present.
Please keep a close watch; if you continue to improve, there is no need to worry. If symptoms persist, please consult your GP.
Please get back if you have any more queries.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Health City, Hyderabad
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (15 hours later)
That really didn't answer my question. I do have some pain. What do believe is causing the popping and grinding? I do have an appointment on September 17th but was looking for some ideas before that.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (22 hours later)
Hi XXXXXXX
I am sorry that my reply above was not helpful to you. To help you better, I would like to understand your problem. Could you please explain in more detail your symptoms. You have said the location is "base of skull"- can you specify which part is that? The symptoms you have described are grinding and popping- can you please elaborate more? Do you actually hear a sound, and is it painful? Where is the pain? Any other discomforts? Any nausea or vomiting? Did you lose consciousness? Is there any swelling or any areas that are painful/tender to touch?
Please get back with these details.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (9 hours later)
base of skull is base of skull. the grinding and popping happen when i turn my head.actually hear this noise. yes I have pain. not vomiting. no I did not lose consiousness and it is not very painful to the touch.now I have pain in the shoulders. I think I may have damaged the acdf hardware and will find out on the 17th when i have an xray
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (10 hours later)
Thank you for your clarifications.
Your symptoms are suggestive of mild impingement of cervical nerves, which is responsible for pain. Grinding and popping sounds are likely to be due to the facet joint arthropathy (mild arthritis of the cervical vertebrae). However, I do not think that you have damaged the acdf hardware.
You may use a soft cervical collar (if you are not using one at the moment). Mild analgesics such as paracetamol may be used to relieve the pain (if necessary).
Hope this answers your queries. Please get back if you have any more questions.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Sudhir Kumar

Neurologist

Practicing since :1994

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Fell On Face, Grinding Noise, Occasional Popping At Base Of Skull When Turning Head

Hi,
Thank you for contacting Healthcare Magic.
It is unlikely to have symptoms like what you have three days after the fall. Pain is the commonest symptom. If you have pain then it could be related to the fall. Presence of swelling or redness at the affected area may also be present.
Please keep a close watch; if you continue to improve, there is no need to worry. If symptoms persist, please consult your GP.
Please get back if you have any more queries.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Health City, Hyderabad