Does Cracking the Knuckles Cause Arthritis?

Cracking joints and knuckle popping are an interesting phenomenon which is poorly understood. There are many theories why joints crack or pop, but it is simply unknown why.

In general, painless joint cracking is not damaging. But common sense would generally suggest that deliberate and repetitive joint cracking is not just socially disturbing but also physically distressing when pain is caused.

The joint “cracking” may be caused by a negative pressure, such as when the knuckles “crack,” which pull nitrogen gas into the joint temporarily. Cracking sounds can also be heard by tissue tendons snapping through their gliding paths due to minor adjustments. This can happen when your muscles get older and the action changes.

If cracking accompanies pain, the structures of the joint, such as the loose cartilage or the wounded ligaments, may be underlying abnormalities. Some patients who have arthritis (inflammation of the joints, usually painful), snapping of irregular swollen tissue may be aware of “cracking” sounds. The osteoarthritis treatment and relation between knuckle popping will take time to understand.

How Do You Crack?

The knuckles are sometimes called metacarpophalangeal articulations (MCPs) located where the fingers meet the hands.

• The clicking, cracking, popping or snapping of a small gas bubble when your knuckles are cracking.

• A finger, forced to move forward or to reverse, forced or drawn immediately off the hand to cause a cracking sensation (the doctor call this hyper-bending or hyper-extension in a metacarpophalangeal joint). Any such movements can cause a pressure change in the joint. The changes in pressure lead to the formation of small gas bubbles in the joint fluid.

• Whether cracking noise is produced by bubbles or when bubbles are formed is not obvious.

• The dissipation and reversal of the joint’s bones in their normal positions normally takes 15-20 minutes. That is why you can’t crack the same knuckle twice in a row.

Changes in Hand

Research suggests that individuals who often crack can have:

• More hand swelling

• Weak grip

• A slightly larger range of movements in the hands—although hypermobility seems good to put osteoarthritis and other injuries at risk for a joint.

Signs of changes in cartilage in your junction indicating potential scarring and a greater risk of osteoarthritis.

Since it needs more studies, you can ask your doctor for osteoarthritis treatment for guidance at Longevity located in OKC.

**Disclaimer: This content should not be considered medical advice and does not imply a doctor-patient relationship.