can cracking your knuckles really lead to arthritis?

Question

my uncle says it doesnt, but my science teacher says it does

Answer 1

ive heard that, too, but ive read an article in a magazine written by a doctor that says that cracking knuckles have no effect. it's just the sound of the air between the bones.

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Answer 2

Hello Pinoyboy.

Yes, think about it, you're snapping the two joint bones together which has to be abusing the protective cartilage between them, wearing it down and making it all the easier for arthritic spurs to grow in time. As habit forming as 'knuckle cracking' is once someone gets started doing it, major damage can be done in very little time. You won't feel the painful results of that damage for many, many years since the spurs will take time to grow to the point of actual arthritis, especially at the age you most likely are but it will come. It's a habit worth breaking.

Regards,

Lenny.

Answer 3

Imagine for a moment your arthritis completely vanishing right now.

If, in a moment, your pain and stiffness melted away. And your joints all of a sudden functioned like a well-oiled machine.

Like a magic wand was waived, you'd be able to jump up from your chair and run around the room like a kid.

And imagine that you'd never have to suffer as much as a pinch of arthritis stiffness or pain ever again.

I know this sounds impossible right now, but bear with me, because sometimes miracles happen.

It was a gift from a woman on the other side of the world. From the kindness of her heart, she took pity on my suffering and taught me how to completely reverse my arthritis.

Today, I want to do the same for you!

Answer 4

Actually there have been studies which have shown that cracking your knuckles does not lead to arthritis. When you crack your knuckles you are popping bubbles in the synovial fluid in the joints. It also may lead to stretching of the ligaments. But it does not necessarily lead to arthritis. Most diseases like this have a predispostion of being genetic, so if you are going to get arthritis you are going to get it. Cracking your knuckles is not going to speed up the process. But it is bad because you can end up injuring them in other ways.

Answer 5

What the, I hope not! I crack my knuckels all the time! I'm pretty sure it dosen't though...as for making your knuckels fat, what a load of bollocks. When you crack your knuckels, whats you're doing is popping the air in between the joints or some crap. (This is what I vaguley remember from some science show on TV) Far as I know, there is no direct evidence proving cracking knuckles will cause athritis...at any rate, I can't stop, it's a habit now and if I don't crack them they actually start to hurt...

Answer 6

No. There have been studies performed on this in the past. They show that knuckle-cracking (unless excessive - multiple times per hour, etc.) is completely safe. It neither reduces the risk of arthritis nor increases the risk of getting arthritis.

Answer 7

I was told by a physician that cracking the knuckles allow fluid to build up around the joints of the fingers which causes inflammation. We are aware that arthritis is a form of inflammation of the joints.

Answer 8

I have actually heard that it causes to break up arthritis. Think of it as if u have arthritis and you crack your knuckles, you are just causing the air from cracking your knuckles to break up the arthritis.

Answer 9

I read a magazine article recently in Redbook written by a doctor and he said no there is no proof that is causes arthritis but it can lead to some weakened or damaged ligaments and the noise is just air pockets popping or something to that nature

Answer 10

It doesn't. Cracking the knuckles is nothing but annoying. Your science teacher is wrong. Look it up and then throw it in her face during class one day.

Answer 11

no I saw on a heath program that by cracking your knuckles you release some sorta gas from your joint. & thats why you can't crack them again for awhile. Until it goes back up into the knuckle joint.- but no to the arthritis.