Is it unhealthy to crack your finger knuckles?

Posted 3 months ago

Share |

Flag

BlueberryMunchkin

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

It depends how much you're doing it. If you do it a lot, usually from stress, then yes it can cause arthitis through the damage the constant grating/rubbing does within the joint.

However, when your joints feel like they need to be cracked it usually means there's air in there. I have no idea how it gets there, or where it goes when you crack them lol .. but that's what it is (according to my osteopath).

Alternatively, some people are very slightly hyper-mobile. This means that their joints are a bit more stretchy than they should be (hyper mobility can be devastating disabling in severe cases). The slight over-elasticity leads to joints being slightly offset, and thus needing to be clicked back into place. I have this in all sorts of joints; fingers, toes, elbows, shoulders, knees.. and sometimes even where my ribs meet my sternum.

Posted 3 months ago

Other 8 Answers to Is it unhealthy to crack your finger knuckles?

CAJohn	Posted Aug 14th, 2009 at 12:56PM Much safer than cracking your nuts. Rated: +2Vote for this!
Lacsar	Posted Aug 14th, 2009 at 12:46PM my massage thearapist is ALWAYS cracking my knuckles.....she seems extremely knowledgable so i would say NO........but i'm no DR either...... Rated: +1Vote for this!
silvrsurfr	Posted Aug 14th, 2009 at 12:46PM Nope...old wives tale...I never met anyone that died from cracking their knuckles... Ever meet anyone that said, "Oh if only I hadn't cracked my knuckles when I was younger?" Rated: +1Vote for this!
CAdreamin	Posted Aug 14th, 2009 at 1:04PM unhealthy?..maybe, maybe not....annoying as hell?? yes! I cringe when my hubby does it Rated: +1Vote for this!
Creamsicle	Posted Aug 14th, 2009 at 1:16PM I've been cracking my knuckles (and toes, elbows, wrists, neck, back, ankles, etc) for as long as I can remember.... I've never had problems from it. Rated: +1Vote for this!
Chubbywaistcutefa ce	Posted Aug 14th, 2009 at 1:23PM I heard it can cause arthritis... Rated: +1Vote for this!
SamOnHisSoapbox	Posted Aug 14th, 2009 at 1:32PM well actually yes . it can damage the cartiledge .. but **** it have you seen the faces on those around you when you do it .. that malevolent joy has to add years to your life .. even if you lose the ability to grip. Rated: +1Vote for this!
jules76	Posted Aug 14th, 2009 at 1:37PM It is harmless. The sound you hear is actually the fluid in the joint popping, not the cartilage or bone. Rated: +1Vote for this!

1-8 of 8 Answers

Open Questions in Other

There are no open questions in this category - why not ask a question now?

Resolved Questions in Other

There are no resolved questions in this category - why not answer a question now?

Questions and Answers powered by Ask Experience Project. Get answers to questions from the world's largest collection of life experiences, and the people who have had them. A huge, friendly, and fast wiki of answered questions! This page is for providing answers to the question, Is It Unhealthy To Crack Your Finger Knuckles?

Answers to questions like Is it unhealthy to crack your finger knuckles? are provided for entertainment purposes only. You should never use answers to questions provided here to replace professional advice, such as from a doctor or lawyer.

Anonymous & Free

to join millions in the world's largest community of life experiences

Explore first-person stories about any experience, including your own! Connect anonymously with people who understand.

↓ ADVERTISEMENT ↓

Welcome to Ask Experience

Got Questions? We've Got Answers!
Ask Your Questions to members
who have been there and done that!
Share Your Knowledge
Learn Something New

Go Ask Experience Now!