Knuckle Cracking!

[moobrack]

Does knuckle crackoing lead in the long term to arthritis?

 

 

[Jack]

I sure hope not. In the last 2 months my knuckles are starting to be able to crack when I press on them. I would really like to know the answer to this question too, please.

[SaiFightsMS]

The sound made during knuckle cracking is the release of air bubbles in the synovial fluid around the joints.

 

 

[Jack]

Thanks for letting us know Sai

[TKD_McGee]

Heh, I cracked my nuckle once by puching someone in the teeth.

 

A teeth punch is the dumbest thing u can do.

 

 

[KickChick]

Normally there is a bubble of air between joint surfaces so they do not rub each other. If the muscles crossing the joint are overly tensed this air bubble is squeezed out from between the joint surfaces and a vacuum forms in its place. The cracking sound is caused by air rushing in to fill this vacuum in a joint moved past its usual range of motion. Popping and cracking of joints is not harmful per se but may indicate some(perhaps excessive) tension of the muscles surrounding these joints.

 

Another cause of sounds in a joint is osteoarthritis. When joint surfaces are diseased and the cartilage is eaten away, the ligaments and tendons crossing the joint get slack. Their slack lets them move in and out of their grooves, making popping sounds.