i frequently get pain in my chest around the sternum. when i stretch the ribs around my sternum crack and the pain mostly goes away but it is still a little sore. i am way to young to have arthritis but i dont know what this could be. i have never heard of anyone being able to crack their chest before.

Being too young for arthritis is a huge misconception, people are born with it every day. It has no age barrier, it never did.

Arthritis of the sternum is common and is a result often of frequent bouts of bronchitis. I was dx'd with it about age 20 when a severe onset of pain occurred, it was in fact a result of bronchitis over the course of many years.

You could also have other issues going on, there are a few diseases, I use the term loosely, that can cause the cracking. Arthritis would feel more like a burning pain in the sternum and warm to touch, possibly sometimes swollen or light red.

Joint cracking of any sort is not an indication of arthritis. In fact what most individuals deem as "joint cracking" is not a joint or bone itself, it is ligaments stretching themselves back into place or scar tissue breaking up when someone has has a build of of it due to surgeries or repeated injuries.

If it is painful or you notice any other symptoms it would probably be wise to visit your general practitioner and have your chest X-rayed and some blood drawn to rule out or determine if you truly have arthritis.

Cheers
Barbie