Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 8/29/2010

Question
Good evening. In June i was involved in a car accident and approximately
an hour later I began to hear a clicking noise that seems to be in the
throat area every time I take a step. Only I can hear it and I'm currently
going through some physical therapy. I have seen 3 chiropractors who all
respond with "I've never heard this before in all my years practicing" and
that's it, not even a test or a possible theory. It is annoying and it clicks
with every step, more loudly when I step with my left foot. Based on where
the noise comes from, I would say it's towards the back of my throat. I
need to know if this is seriously some unknown mysterious symptom or if
anyone has heard of this before? Thank you in advance!

Answer
Hello Krystle,

I am sorry to hear of your car accident and resultant injuries.

This is certainly an unusual symptom.  I do not believe I have ever had a patient with a 'clicking their throat, when they take a step'.

You state:  ".....I began to hear a clicking noise that seems to be in the throat area every time I take a step. Only I can hear it...".
         One of the ways Doctors (whether a Chiropractic Doctor (DC) or a Medical Doctor (MD) ) determine a diagnosis and a plan of care is to examine the patient, and attempt to duplicate the pain.  When we duplicate the pain, when we can cause the pain, we can narrow the cause of the pain, and have a better idea of IF we can help, or if referral is necessary.
         The Doctors you have seen, whether MD or DC (medical or chiropractic doctors), and even the P.T. (physical therapist); should have examined you and attempted to duplicate that pain.  
Duplicating the pain allows us to analyze it and formulate an attack upon the problem.
         If we cannot duplicate the complaint, if we cannot analyze the condition, we may not be able to help it.

All of this being said, Since this is of concern to you, I would recommend seeing a Chiropractic Specialist (see:  http://www.acatoday.org/pdf/ApprovedChiropracticSpecialtyPrograms.pdf ) perhaps a Chiropractic Orthopedist, or a Chiropractic Neurologist would be helpful in this particular case.  A website I would look for a Doctor at would be: http://lifechangingcare.com/

I would also ask if you have had Xray and MRI of your Cervical Spine? Xray with flexion/ extension AND lateral flexion (left and right) could allow us to see the stability of your C-spine, MRI should mirror this.  C-spine stability would be the major concern in my mind.

I hope this helps, If you need further, do not hesitate
to RE-contact your Staten Island Chiropractic Expert here at
http://www.allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm


Thank you for the question, AND
I wish you good luck in returning to good health,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC