Whether you crack your knuckles to relieve tension or do it out of habit, it won’t raise your risk for arthritis. The myth that cracking your knuckles causes arthritis is something that has been around for decades, but fortunately, there has been no evidence that links cracking your knuckles to arthritis. Let’s review what exactly “cracking” your knuckles really means.

What is “cracking” when I crack my knuckles?

When you hear your joints snap, crack and pop, the noise is coming from nitrogen bubbles that are bursting in your synovial fluid. Synovial fluid is found in the cavities of synovial joints.The principal role of this fluid is to reduce friction between the cartilages of the joints during movement.

Synovial fluid is made of hyaluronic acid and lubricin, as well as dissolved gasses such as oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. When you crack your knuckles, the pressure inside the joint capsule expands and the dissolved gasses escape out of the fluid, causing the “pop” sound.

Can I continue cracking my knuckles?

While research indicates that there is no increased preponderance of arthritis when cracking knuckles, scientists found that habitual knuckle crackers are more likely to have hand swelling and lower grip strength. Even though knuckle cracking doesn’t cause arthritis, you should still consider letting go of the habit as there are some latent dangers such as possible:

• Pain in the joints
• Dislocated fingers or overstretched ligaments
• Damage to the soft tissue of the joint

Helpful tips to stop cracking your knuckles

Here are some tips that might help you break the habit of cracking your knuckles:

• Engage in a new hobby that keeps your hands occupied
• Use behavioral therapy techniques
• Be mindful of the habit
• Find out the source of anxiety
• Occupy your hands with other stress relievers, such as squeezing a stress ball

At Rejuvinix, our doctors perform non-surgical joint therapies including regenerative cell therapy and advanced Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy. If you are experiencing chronic pain in the joints from knuckle cracking, call (757) 345-2318 or make an appointment online.