Answered by Loraine Stern M.D.
"I adore children and being a pediatrician because of all the hugging and laughing that we do," say Loraine Stern, M.D.
Loraine Stern, M.D., clinical professor of pediatrics at U.C.L.A., has been in private pediatric practice for 35 years. Dr. Stern wrote for Woman's Day magazine from 1986 to 2005. She is a former editor of and contributor to Healthy Kids magazine. She has published two books on child care and has edited a book about pediatric nutrition for the American Academy of Pediatrics. A spokesperson for children and families, Dr. Stern has appeared on national networks and programs such as CNN, The Today Show, and Good Morning America.
Dr. Stern has two stepchildren but no animals or even green plants.
Question
Is it normal for a 20-month-old's back to crack all the time?
Answer
A pediatric orthopedist I know calls this painless popping and snapping "joint music." The ankles and knees are the most common areas for this to occur, but as long as your daughter's back cracks are painless there is no cause for oncern.
These pops and snaps occur in children because some of their joints are more flexible and more loosely joined than ours are. If it ever seems to hurt when a joint pops or snaps, on the other hand, contact your daughter's pediatrician.
