You’ve probably heard that cracking your knuckles or joints leads to arthritis. This widespread belief turns out to be just a myth. Trusted sources from Harvard Health and research published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine confirm that joint cracking does not cause arthritis.
What Actually Happens When You Crack a Joint
When you crack your knuckles, you stretch the joint capsule. This action lowers pressure in the joint and allows gases in the synovial fluid to form or collapse into bubbles. That sudden change creates the popping sound. According to Harvard Health, this process is harmless. X-ray studies support this explanation. The noise stops until gases build up again, which usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes.
Long-Term Cracking and Arthritis Risk
A 2011 study in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine looked at 215 adults aged 50 to 89. Researchers compared knuckle crackers to non-crackers and found no link to hand osteoarthritis. Rates of arthritis were similar in both groups for every joint type. The study also found no connection between how long or how often people cracked their knuckles and their arthritis risk.
Are There Any Downsides?
Joint cracking might cause mild side effects. Some habitual crackers experienced hand swelling or reduced grip strength, studies show. In rare cases, aggressive cracking might strain soft tissues, ligament, or tendons.
When to Be Concerned
If cracking comes with pain, swelling, limited movement, joint locking, grinding noises, or numbness, it could signal an underlying issue. In these cases, you need to consult a healthcare professionals.
Final Verdict
Contrary to popular belief, cracking your joints does not cause arthritis. Scientific research supports this conclusion. However, listen to your body. If cracking becomes painful or causes swelling, get it checked out. Let us help. Book a session with our team at AmarePhysio and we’ll build the right plan to keep your joints healthy, mobile, and pain-free.
References:
https://www.jabfm.org/content/24/2/169.long
https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/does-cracking-knuckles-cause-arthritis
