Is it harmful to the joints/other parts of your hands when you crack your fingers?

Question

I apologize if that's not the correct term - I'm not a native English speaker. I hope you know what I mean. Thank you!

Answer 1

There is some evidence that it can lead to arthritis, but recent studies suggest that the reverse is true: your likelihood of needing to crack your fingers may be due to a genetic tendency toward arthritis. It is essentially the same thing with spinal and neck "cracking." Medical scientists believe that the sound you hear is air and pressure buildup between the joints or vertebrae. The cracking sound is similar to popping those little bubblewrap bubbles in packaging, caused by a release of air and pressure. It is likely, though not 100% certain at this point, that this is harmless. It may even do some good for people who are more prone to having gaps in their bone structure. That is why some people don't need to do it. Everyone does not have air pockets in their joints.

Answer 2

yes when you crack your knuckles you where the cartilage and you create bone on bone movement. you also create a habit your hand will now need done very often or your fingers will hurt until you crack your knuckles once again. and even if you do stop you still have created an opening for arthritis in your hands but gave you more of a chance to heal. so try really hard to stop cracking your knuckles.

Answer 3

No it isn't actually..You are actually releasing the air pockets between the joints when you pop your fingers or you stretch and you get a crack..It's just air.

Answer 4

cracking your fingers might damage the intra articuler surface and cartilage causing swelling and deformation of joints

Answer 5

we say crack your knuckles. they used to say it enlarges the knuckles. i've done it for years. never bothered me.

Answer 6

i have heard that when you crack your knuckles it's air that is being released.

Answer 7

not so far... I've been doing it for 40 years.

Answer 8

nope.