Is cracking your knuckles actually bad for you?

[phillybri]

If it is, I'm really screwed. I do it all day, every day...

My grandmother thinks it causes arthritis, but she also believes you can get a cold by walking in the rain, so there's that.

[trotsky]

1. Ask the Library of Congress!

http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/joint.html

Is joint cracking harmful? If you are feeling pain when your joints pop, than you should seek a health care professional. In terms of knuckle cracking, some studies show that knuckle cracking does not cause serious harm. Other studies show that repetitive knuckle cracking can do some damage to the soft tissue of the joint. It may also lead to a weak grip and a swelling hand.

On edit: Yes, the misspelling "than" is their mistake.

[daisygirl]

2. My doctor told me that cracking joints isn't

inherently bad for you.

But then he told me to quit cracking my neck because I kept cracking the same couple of spots and it was making my problem worse. I can't imagine that'd apply to knuckles, though...

[rfranklin]

3. Could be...I cracked my knuckles and now...

my fingers are all crooked and swollen with arthritis. But, then again, my grandmother had arthritis and I never saw her cracking her knuckles. So there you have it--maybe or maybe not.

[jukes]

4. breaking them is n/t

[Worst Username Ever]

5. No

It is simply air bubbles in your joints shifting from one area to another. The air shifts between joints/tendons etc, it creates a popping sound. Arthritis is an inflamation of the joints that is unrelated to knuckle cracking air bubbles.

[yellowcanine]

6. "I do it all day, every day.." Is that what it is called now? OK then.

Yes, it's bad for you. Causes blindness if you do it 100 times.

[The empressof all]

7. My mother always told me......

I was told it makes your knuckles bigger. I've been doing it all my life and my knuckles are pretty normal size!

[TrogL]

8. I've been cracking all my life

The studies I've read say it causes no damage as long as you don't over-stress them (basically breaking fingers). My doctor says make sure you pull, don't twist. Studies show it allows a slight improvement in mobility in old age.

Mine hurt if I don't crack.