Knuckle cracking is a common pleasurable activity which is enjoyed by many. For some, it has also become a habit to cope with nervous energy. Many people describe it as a way to “release tension.” Others associate it with joint problems. But how true is all of this? Is knuckle cracking just an annoying habit or can it be harmful? Let’s find out.
Knuckle cracking has been a topic with a fair amount of research.
According to Joseph Medellin, M.D, a sports medicine physician with Henry Ford Health, the cracking sound happens when you stretch or bend your finger bones backward. When you do that what happens is that it increases the space between the joints and causes gas bubbles to burst in the fluid. However, you must have noticed that you cannot crack the same knuckle again right away because it takes time for the gas bubbles to reaccumulate.
While it might feel like cracking knuckles relieves tension and makes the joint more mobile, there is scientific evidence to back this theory. According to media reports, Dr Joseph said, “There is no evidence to support the old wives’ tale that says cracking knuckles causes arthritis of the hand. That myth probably originated with people who wanted to convince knuckle crackers to quit.”
While cracking knuckles is probably harmless, there have been occasional reports of dislocations and tendon injuries from overly aggressive knuckle cracking.
There is one study by a California physician which proves that knuckle cracking is mostly harmless. He conducted the study on himself. Over his lifetime, he regularly cracked knuckles only of one hand. He then performed an x-ray on himself after a decade. He found no difference in arthritis between his hands. Another study, on a larger scale, derived the same conclusion.
There are rarely any medical reports associated with knuckle cracking. It all ultimately comes down on the kind of force that you are applying. For instance, joint dislocations and tendon injuries have been reported after attempts to crack knuckles. A study published in 1990 found that among 74 people who regularly cracked their knuckles, the average grip strength was lower than usual.
