Is cracking your knuckles bad?

Question

i am always cracking my fingers. Is it bad to?

Answer 1

A lot of people say it will give you arthritis after so long, but there isn't too much scientific evidence to back it up. They're trying to still figure it out, but all it really does is give that little feeling of relaxation and release of tension.

Answer 2

Nope. It doesn't cause any adverse effects. I know it's long been thought that it causes arthritis, but arthritis is brought on by a whole other host of things like genetic and hereditary factors, as well as diet and lifestyle.

Also, something interesting...the cracking isn't really your bones clicking against one another. it's actually caused by the rapid expansion of the joint cavity, which releases dissolved gases in the synovial (joint) fluid. the crack is the simultaneous release of these gases.

weird, huh? i didn't know that until a little while ago, and thought it was really interesting.

here's some more info on knuckle-cracking if you're interested:

http://www.hopkins-arthritis.org/arthrit...

Answer 3

Yes. I have been doing it for years, now in my thirties there are certain knuckles that are stiff and swollen.