Health and Me

Itisha Arya

Fact Check: Does Cracking Your Knuckles Every Day Damage Your Joints?

Does Cracking Your Knuckles Every Day Damage Your Joints

If you are someone who cracks your knuckles every day just for that oddly satisfying pop, you are not alone. For many, the sharp sound brings a fleeting sense of relief or relaxation. Yet, there has long been a debate about whether this seemingly harmless habit could actually damage your joints or raise the risk of <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/arthritis">arthritis</a></span>.

For those unversed, the pop you hear when cracking your knuckles comes from gas bubbles in the joint fluid collapsing. For most people, it’s harmless, though it can occasionally cause slight swelling or a temporary drop in grip strength. The long-standing belief that it leads to arthritis is not backed by science, but using too much force could result in minor injuries, like ligament sprains or dislocations

Addressing this common worry, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Manan Vora answered the question in a viral reel that has now surpassed 2.5 million views. A viewer asked him, “Can cracking knuckles every day lead to arthritis?”

Dr. Vora said, “The pop you hear when cracking a knuckle is the sound of these bubbles bursting within the synovial fluid inside the joint,” he clarified.

<h2>Is Cracking Knuckles Bad For You?</h2>

Knuckle cracking is a habit many pick up early in life, often because they enjoy the sound or the temporary feeling of looseness in the fingers. According to the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, the sound comes from changes inside the joint capsule, which is filled with synovial fluid. This fluid not only lubricates the joints but also nourishes the surrounding bones.

“A variety of gases are dissolved in this fluid. When a knuckle is cracked, stretching the capsule lowers the pressure inside, creating a vacuum. The dissolved gases form a bubble, which bursts, producing the familiar popping sound. It takes time for the gases to re-dissolve, which is why you can’t immediately crack the same knuckle again,” Johns Hopkins adds.

<h2>Does Cracking Knuckles Cause Arthritis?</h2>

Many worry that frequent knuckle cracking could trigger arthritis. However, research shows there is no evidence linking the habit to arthritis or long-term joint damage. A few reports have noted that excessive cracking may occasionally cause minor ligament strains or tendon dislocations, but these injuries typically heal on their own. 

Some studies also suggest that habitual knuckle crackers might have slightly reduced grip strength over time, but this does not equate to arthritis. Rarely, “knuckle pads” can develop in young people who crack their knuckles often, but these are mostly cosmetic.

Several studies back up the conclusion that knuckle cracking does not cause arthritis. For example, a study by the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences followed 215 participants, 20% of whom regularly cracked their knuckles. They found arthritis in 18.1% of knuckle crackers and 21.5% of non-crackers, essentially the same rate, showing no link between the habit and the disease.

A famous anecdote comes from Dr. Donald Unger, who cracked the knuckles on his left hand twice daily for 50 years while leaving his right hand untouched. Published in Arthritis and Rheumatism in 1998, the informal experiment revealed that neither hand showed signs of arthritis. More recent studies in 2017 reached similar results, finding no difference in hand function between people who cracked their knuckles and those who didn’t.

<h2><span rel="noindex">What Is Arthritis</span>?</h2>

Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation and pain in one or more joints, often leading to stiffness and limiting the joint’s range of motion. Genetics play a major role, with environmental triggers contributing to inflammatory types, and age or mechanical stress driving degenerative arthritis.

Other risk factors include obesity, previous joint injuries, family history, older age, and being female. But as research confirms, knuckle cracking is not one of them.

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If you are someone who cracks your knuckles every day just for that oddly satisfying pop, you are not alone. For many, the sharp sound brings a fleeting sense of relief or relaxation. Yet, there has long been a debate about whether this seemingly harmless habit could actually damage your joints or raise the risk of arthritis.For those unversed, the pop you hear when cracking your knuckles comes from gas bubbles in the joint fluid collapsing. For most people, it’s harmless, though it can occasionally cause slight swelling or a temporary drop in grip strength. The long-standing belief that it leads to arthritis is not backed by science, but using too much force could result in minor injuries, like ligament sprains or dislocationsAddressing this common worry, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Manan Vora answered the question in a viral reel that has now surpassed 2.5 million views. A viewer asked him, “Can cracking knuckles every day lead to arthritis?”Dr. Vora said, “The pop you hear when cracking a knuckle is the sound of these bubbles bursting within the synovial fluid inside the joint,” he clarified.Is Cracking Knuckles Bad For You?Knuckle cracking is a habit many pick up early in life, often because they enjoy the sound or the temporary feeling of looseness in the fingers. According to the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, the sound comes from changes inside the joint capsule, which is filled with synovial fluid. This fluid not only lubricates the joints but also nourishes the surrounding bones.“A variety of gases are dissolved in this fluid. When a knuckle is cracked, stretching the capsule lowers the pressure inside, creating a vacuum. The dissolved gases form a bubble, which bursts, producing the familiar popping sound. It takes time for the gases to re-dissolve, which is why you can’t immediately crack the same knuckle again,” Johns Hopkins adds.Does Cracking Knuckles Cause Arthritis?Many worry that frequent knuckle cracking could trigger arthritis. However, research shows there is no evidence linking the habit to arthritis or long-term joint damage. A few reports have noted that excessive cracking may occasionally cause minor ligament strains or tendon dislocations, but these injuries typically heal on their own. Some studies also suggest that habitual knuckle crackers might have slightly reduced grip strength over time, but this does not equate to arthritis. Rarely, “knuckle pads” can develop in young people who crack their knuckles often, but these are mostly cosmetic.Several studies back up the conclusion that knuckle cracking does not cause arthritis. For example, a study by the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences followed 215 participants, 20% of whom regularly cracked their knuckles. They found arthritis in 18.1% of knuckle crackers and 21.5% of non-crackers, essentially the same rate, showing no link between the habit and the disease.A famous anecdote comes from Dr. Donald Unger, who cracked the knuckles on his left hand twice daily for 50 years while leaving his right hand untouched. Published in Arthritis and Rheumatism in 1998, the informal experiment revealed that neither hand showed signs of arthritis. More recent studies in 2017 reached similar results, finding no difference in hand function between people who cracked their knuckles and those who didn’t.What Is Arthritis?Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation and pain in one or more joints, often leading to stiffness and limiting the joint’s range of motion. Genetics play a major role, with environmental triggers contributing to inflammatory types, and age or mechanical stress driving degenerative arthritis.Other risk factors include obesity, previous joint injuries, family history, older age, and being female. But as research confirms, knuckle cracking is not one of them.