knuckle cracking - good or bad?

[katmakenian]

I've got a running argument with a friend of mine. He says it's a myth that cracking knuckles causes arthritis or damage to hand joints. I argue that if the fluid in your knuckles is meant to be there, then leave it there and don't crack them to release it because obviously it's meant to be there! Anyone any the wiser please? Kat

[daffy654]

The crack is caused by the ligaments snapping over the joint,not by fluid.It is a myth that cracking your knuckles causes arthritis.

[Pippa68]

I have always thought it was an old wives tale. I have just read this:

''If you can crack your knuckles and your mum tells you you're going to get arthritis, she's just yanking your chain. There is no scientific evidence that cracking your knuckles leads to arthritis. However, it can't be good to repeatedly push a joint beyond its normal physical range. Besides that, it's annoying. Cracking your knuckles can cause a decrease in your grip but unless you're signing any multi-million dollar contracts as a pitcher, it's not worth giving up. But it's still annoying. ''

[China Doll]

One of my worse habits this.

Glad it's a myth!

[Ice-Maiden]

Eeuurrgh! I hate the sound of it though!

[daffy654]

One of my bad habits too China :-(

[B00]

Mr Boo cracks his neck as well, it's revolting. I don't think murdering him will be excessive if he does it again- do you?

[nutgoneflake]

Wring his neck, B00, then he may well die happy...

[Ice-Maiden]

Well you've both just cracked jokes - beautiful!

[Gromit]

I do the neck and fingers.

The neck one is best, it's fun to see people wince!

[Ice-Maiden]

Does it hurt?????

[B00]

Wince??? I nearly bloody hurl and the git does it to wind me up.

[Octavius]

The cracking can be caused by the snapping of tendons over a prominence, but also cavity bubbles collapsing (and hence popping) within the synovial fluid. More often when someone is bending or their fingers, it is the popping in the synovial fluid.

Although there is no evidence that it causes 'arthritis', long term and regular cracking can lead to other joint problems as noted above (swelling and loss of grip strength).

Anoter cracking sound which I often get (unintentionally) is crepitus due to a broken elbow some years back. This often means my arm locks straight and needs to be manipulated (clicked) so that I can bend it again. I have the same thing with my right knee.

[Ice-Maiden]

Ha ha ha ha!!!!!! Can't you do something irritating in return??

[B00]

Well the murdering idea is still appealing Ice Maiden, I should imagine he'd by quite irritated by that.

[confused79]

Just fart on him!! that will wind him up! haha

[Ice-Maiden]

OMG! Wonderful! My husband irritates me with snoring - so I shove a candle snuffer over his mouth. Soon solves the problem.

[daffy654]

How about armpit farting at him Boo,he would either laugh himself stupid or be so shocked by your un-ladylike behaviour that he would stop doing it.

[confused79]

i just give my other half and jabb in the ribs but then he turns over and snores in a different tone, i sqeeze his nose so that then normally does the trick lol

[China Doll]

I can do...

Fingers
Thumbs
Toes
Knees
Ankles
Elbows

But the neck and the nose makes me ill.

I'd also like to add that it's only acceptable if I do it. I can't stand when others do it!

[4getmenot]

eeeeuuuuugh hate it hate it hate it