Does cracking your knuckles..

[JS19]

produce any long term effects? I have heard the myth, or at least i think it's a myth, that it can cause arthritits. I ask because I was with some friends last night and one told me I crack my knuckles far too often, and I started thinking, she's right.

[Logan]

Myth or not, I keep cracking my knuckles. The relief and comfort I feel now is worth the pain I'll feel down the road, especially when I'll probably already be in plenty of other forms of discomfort from old age.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Popping any joints regularly will break down the cartilage and joints, resulting in what can sometimes be quite painful arthritis as the years pass. There's no myth to it. It's the truth.

[johnnyshaka]

I can crack my knuckles by simply making a fist or a claw with my hands and have been able to do so for years...probably 10-15 years. I think it's probably a nervous twitch or something as I probably do it way too often. I'm 33 now and I can tell you that over the last couple of years I've noticed that I do feel some aching sort of pain while playing sports like hockey, baseball, and golf. Now, I'm also in IT and on a computer probably at least 10-12 hours a day and that could also be adding to the pain as well...who knows.

[RedKingGold]

Popping any joints regularly will break down the cartilage and joints, resulting in what can sometimes be quite painful arthritis as the years pass. There's no myth to it. It's the truth.

You're wrong.


Does cracking your knuckles cause permanent damage?
According to Sanjiv Naidu, Penn State professor of orthopaedics, it does not.
"Plain old knuckle-cracking should not cause any damage. It does not strain the ligaments or the tissues, or overextend them enough to cause arthritis," Naidu says. "It also should not cause joint weakness, on a long-term basis. Anatomically, physiologically, and mechanically, there's no reason it should cause harm."
Elaborates Naidu, "You literally have to disrupt the joint capsule through excessive force—like a ligament injury in a knee, or 'skier's thumb,' for example—to cause chronic, long-term damage," The forces generated by knuckle-cracking are relatively small in comparison.
So your mother's childhood warnings were just old wives' tales. But what makes that disconcerting sound? Naidu explains that the cracking noise is caused by a gas, mainly carbon dioxide, that is usually dissolved in the synovial fluid that encapsulates most joints. "If you pull on the joint or distend the joint capsule," he notes "the walls of the capsule expand and lower the pressure on the fluid inside it. The gas then comes out of solution suddenly and forms bubbles, which makes a popping noise."
The stretching of the capsule also allows a temporary increase in the joint's range of motion. "When you move the joint back into position," Naidu notes, "the fluid comes under normal pressure again, and the bubbles gradually go back into solution." The time it takes to re-dissolve the carbon dioxide into the synovial fluid prevents the knuckle from cracking again for a few minutes.
Although the actual process of cracking a knuckle may take only a few milliseconds, the relief that some people feel from it is palpable. Chiropractors make a business out of manipulating joints to reduce stress, and dedicated joint-crackers even have their own Web site and discussion board (http://www.jointcrackers.com/), on which to exchange anecdotes. If you're among them, it's likely that the only consequences you'll face for your popping and snapping will be comments from friends and funny looks from innocent bystanders.


http://www.rps.psu.edu/probing/knuckles.html

[bbor]

Did anyone read this thread title and NOT crack their knuckles?

[Logan]

But what makes that disconcerting sound? Naidu explains that the cracking noise is caused by a gas, mainly carbon dioxide, that is usually dissolved in the synovial fluid that encapsulates most joints. "If you pull on the joint or distend the joint capsule," he notes "the walls of the capsule expand and lower the pressure on the fluid inside it. The gas then comes out of solution suddenly and forms bubbles, which makes a popping noise."


So there are two gases released when pulling someone's finger.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

You're wrong.

http://www.rps.psu.edu/probing/knuckles.html

1. There would be a lot of disagreement depending on who you talk to whether chiropractors help or cause some of the symptoms that they treat. I'd certainly disagree with that.

2. I was obviously far too general in my description of 'arthritis', as you are technically correct. However, there are a lot of problems that can arise from the popping of body joints. As this article correctly states, nothing good can come from the popping of the joints.

http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/05/10/26/does_cracking_your_knuckles_really_cause_arthritis.htm

[Dr. Sak]

What about when I pop my joint in some fine lady's va gee gee?

[Kodos]

It's an annoying habit.

[Lathum]

My uncle is a very highly regarded MD who specializes in rheumitoid arthritis. I asked him once becaue I crack my knuckles alot. He told me that has absolutly no effect and that it is indeed air escaping from between your joints.

[RedKingGold]

2. I was obviously far too general in my description of 'arthritis', as you are technically correct. However, there are a lot of problems that can arise from the popping of body joints. As this article correctly states, nothing good can come from the popping of the joints.

Right. What you were wrong about was


There's no myth to it. It's the truth.


There's obvious disconnect, and the truth is, no one really knows if popping your knuckles causes arthritis, cancer, etc.

I've showed you mine and you've showed me yours. But there is no consensus.

FWIW, I'm more concerned about a piano dropping on my head than getting arthiritis from popping my knuckles.

[RedKingGold]

BTW, ROCK JOCK JAYHAWK!

[Kodos]

I say knuckle-crackers deserve arthritis.

[MikeVic]

I say knuckle-crackers deserve arthritis.

Hey whoa. If you had any knuckles, you'd be popping and locking all over the house!

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

BTW, ROCK JOCK JAYHAWK!

Just so the rest of the world knows, this is usually what happens when a Jayhawk fan gets involved in a conversation. The say a couple of things and then scream 'Rock Chalk' when the conversation starts to go over their head. Sad, but true.

[Passacaglia]

I've heard it makes kittens die.

[RedKingGold]

Just so the rest of the world knows, this is usually what happens when a Jayhawk fan gets involved in a conversation. The say a couple of things and then scream 'Rock Chalk' when the conversation starts to go over their head. Sad, but true.

Except for I'm not a Kansas fan (I'm actually a Villanova fan). I just did that to make your blood boil.

Thanks for responding.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Except for I'm not a Kansas fan (I'm actually a Villanova fan). I just did that to make your blood boil.

Thanks for responding.

Villanova......Kansas...........same difference. :)

[Sgran]

Once per day, around 10:30 AM, i absolutely must pop my right ankle.

[st.cronin]

I can actually pop my nose.

[rkmsuf]

I can make spagetti.

[Mr. Wednesday]

Did anyone read this thread title and NOT crack their knuckles?
Depends on how you mean that. I did manipulate my hands in a way that sometimes causes them to crack, but they didn't crack — maybe I don't have the knack for it, or maybe I have less CO2 dissolved in my fluid than some people.

[jeff061]

Myth, or my fingers would be grinding by now.

[Lathum]

I can actually pop my nose.

Me to, I can move it side to side and crack it. I broke it when I was 18 and have been able to do it ever since. It drives my wife insane

[Huckleberry]

2. I was obviously far too general in my description of 'arthritis', as you are technically correct. However, there are a lot of problems that can arise from the popping of body joints. As this article correctly states, nothing good can come from the popping of the joints.

Actually, what both articles indicate is that so far there is no proof that anything bad can come from the popping of joints other than irritating Kodos.

Meanwhile, popping joints can provide relief from discomfort and/or pain.

So it seems that the list of effects of knuckle-popping contains 1 item in the good column and 0 items in the bad column.

[MikeVic]

I crack my knuckles, back, arms, wrists, neck, and various parts of my legs.

[st.cronin]

Me to, I can move it side to side and crack it. I broke it when I was 18 and have been able to do it ever since. It drives my wife insane

It drives all women insane.

[Autumn]

Me to, I can move it side to side and crack it. I broke it when I was 18 and have been able to do it ever since. It drives my wife insane

Nominated for Most Amusing Out of Context Quote of the Year

[Mustang]

I can make spagetti.

I can tape all your buns together.

[MikeVic]

I tried to commit suicide because I got a B.

[rkmsuf]

I can tape all your buns together.

You sir are a genius if your lamp didn't light up.

[Warhammer]

I would argue that while it might not cause arithritis, it does lead to the breakdown of the joint over time. Arithritis (at least some forms) is an autoimmune disease that attacks the joints.

[ThunderingHERD]

I would argue that while it might not cause arithritis, it does lead to the breakdown of the joint over time. Arithritis (at least some forms) is an autoimmune disease that attacks the joints.

And you would argue that based on what evidence?

[jeff061]

Rumor.

[Shkspr]

Villanova......Kansas...........same difference. :)


Ah, so they DO offer geography classes at Mizzou.

[Galaxy]

The 360 is still kicking PS3's butt, just look at the stats.

[Warhammer]

And you would argue that based on what evidence?

My own joints. My big toe has cracked/popped repeatedly over the last twenty years and now it definitely hurts more than any other appendage. Additionally, it hurts specifically in the joint that pops.

Regarding arithritis, several forms are caused by the body attacking the joints which causes inflammation. That is the cause of rheumatoid arithritis and is the reason auto-immune suppressive medications are prescribed for it. Osteo can be caused by an injury, but is not always caused by an injury.

[Eaglesfan27]

Right. What you were wrong about was



There's obvious disconnect, and the truth is, no one really knows if popping your knuckles causes arthritis, cancer, etc.

I've showed you mine and you've showed me yours. But there is no consensus.

FWIW, I'm more concerned about a piano dropping on my head than getting arthiritis from popping my knuckles.

Winner. There is ZERO proof either way.

[ThunderingHERD]

My own joints. My big toe has cracked/popped repeatedly over the last twenty years and now it definitely hurts more than any other appendage. Additionally, it hurts specifically in the joint that pops.

Regarding arithritis, several forms are caused by the body attacking the joints which causes inflammation. That is the cause of rheumatoid arithritis and is the reason auto-immune suppressive medications are prescribed for it. Osteo can be caused by an injury, but is not always caused by an injury.

Setting aside obvious problems with anecdotal evidence:

Your big toe "has cracked/popped"? On its own? Has it occurred to you that this is different from cracking one's knuckles and that there may be some underlying problem with the joint that caused both the popping and the current pain?

[Pumpy Tudors]

I cracked my dick on a motherfucker's forehead this one time, but it was a total accident.

[CU Tiger]

Actually, what both articles indicate is that so far there is no proof that anything bad can come from the popping of joints other than irritating Kodos.

Meanwhile, popping joints can provide relief from discomfort and/or pain.

So it seems that the list of effects of knuckle-popping contains 1 item in the good column and 0 items in the bad column.

Wouldnt that be Good :2 and Bad :0 ?

No harm meant Kodos, a total humor play

[path12]

I cracked my dick on a motherfucker's forehead this one time, but it was a total accident.

That's nothing compared to cracking a motherfucker's forehead with your dick.