is it true if u crack ur knuckles u get arthritis?

Answer 1

Arthritis runs in my family. I have cracked my knuckles for as long as I can remember, I have arthritis now but its only in my pointer fingers and my knees. I have never cracked my knees (don't know if you can) so I don't what is from family history or from my own fault. I'm only 23 so I'm sure it will only get worse.

Answer 2

The reason people associate knuckle-cracking with arthritis is because it makes a cracking noise and, if something cracks, it must be being damaged. However, the truth is that nothing is being cracked. A joint is any place where the ends of two bones meet. Where the bones come together they have a covering of "articular cartilage." This is surrounded by the "joint capsule," inside of which there is synovial fluid. Synovial fluid is the lubricant for the joint and also serves as a source of nutrients for the cells that look after the cartilage. Synovial fluid has dissolved oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide within it. When the right pressure is applied to a joint, the area inside the joint capsule expands. However, the expansion is limited by how much synovial fluid is contained in the joint. Synovial fluid cannot expand unless pressure inside the joint capsule drops and the dissolved gases can escape out of the fluid. The cracking sound comes from the gases rapidly being released from the fluid. There have been a few studies to see whether or not cracking knuckles caused arthritis. None have found that there was an increase of arthritis among knuckle-crackers; nevertheless, a relationship was discovered between knuckle-cracking, hand swelling and lower grip strength, damage to ligaments surrounding the joints and dislocation of tendons. The conclusion of the studies indicated that while knuckle-cracking was not associated with arthritis, it was associated with damage to ligaments that surround the joint and dislocation of tendons. There may also be a connection with soft tissue injuries.

Answer 3

However, the common parental advice "Cracking your knuckles gives you arthritis" may be simply a device to deter children from this practice, because many people find the sound annoying. In fact, a study by Castellanos and Axelrod found that arthritis was not a product of knuckle cracking. They evaluated 300[1] consecutive outpatients at Mount Carmel Mercy Hospital to determine whether habitual knuckle cracking is a risk factor for hand dysfunction. They found no relation with osteoarthritis, but noted that 'knuckle crackers were more likely to have hand swelling and lower grip strength.'

Answer 4

It is true that when you hurt your bones like a sprained ankle or broke leg you can get arthritis as you get older in those areas......But popping your knuckles is only gas between the joints and bones. I laughed when I heard that from a doctor....I said "what is it a bone fart?" Anyhow he said when gas builds up in your knuckles they can pop or crack. Now I might have be naive, ok? I swear, I also heard it on Discovery channel. So I don't know how it gets there, that's another question that someone else can answer.

Answer 5

I don't think cracking your knuckles will cause arthritis. The crack comes from the release of gas in your joint, but doesn't really have anything to do with the joint itself. A friend of mine recently told me the crack you hear is actually good for the joints (think of when the chiropractor cracks your back).

Answer 6

i am a medical student and i have just studied arthritis in detail several weeks ago. my colleagues and i came to the conclusion that knuckle cracking is harmless - it is merely a noise caused by movement of air in the fluid between the joints when you bend your fingers back.

the characteristic crackling sound of osteoarthritis (which occurs later in life) is caused by bone rubbing on bone when the protective covering on the bones in the joints gets worn away. in large joints like the knee, exerting excessive strain on these joints will make you more susceptible to osteoarthritis later in life. cracking the knuckles does not however put excessive strain on the joints.

in reference to what someone else said, that "I don't believe cracking knuckles cause arthritis.
I think it will cause bigger knuckle joints,
Like working your muscles cause bigger muscles"

this is incorrect because the protective coating on bone is unable to repair after a certain age - actually from age 35 onwards it degenerates - so exercise can build up muscle but will not cause the actual joint to enlarge.

Answer 7

I don't believe cracking knuckles cause arthritis.
I think it will cause bigger knuckle joints,
Like working your muscles cause bigger muscles.
Buttt, There are lots of old sayings I do not believe.
You have a right to your own beliefs.
Working any part of your body makes it better
than not using it at all.

Answer 8

No. If you feel the need to crack your knuckles, you already have arthritis.

Answer 9

I don't know, but I've never been able to crack my knuckles, it makes me cringe but I have arthritis now!

Answer 10

apparently not - it's an urban myth. I was just reading about this the other day (I wanted to find out why men had nipples). See the link below for this and others from times online.
The noise is caused by the bubbles bursting in the synovial fluid in the joints.