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in General Factchecking by Newbie (420 points)
Cracking your knuckles does not give you arthritis. The popping sound is connected to the formation and bursting of gas bubbles in your joint fluid. No studies have demonstrated an increased risk of arthritis, but frequent knuckle cracking may slightly reduce grip strength or irritate surrounding tissues​
by (150 points)
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The claim that this article states "Cracking your fingers does not give you arthritis" is a factual claim that is supported by the source that's provided. The article also states the possible risks of cracking your fingers, reduced grip strength and irritated tissue.
by Newbie (380 points)
0 0
This article's statement that "Cracking your fingers does not give you arthritis" is factual and backed up by the cited source. The article also discusses the potential dangers of infected tissue, limited grip strength, and finger cracking.

25 Answers

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by Newbie (430 points)

While cracking knuckles may be considered a bad habit, it will not lead to arthritis. This article by Northwest Medicine claims the popping sound is from a bursting gas bubbles in the fluid between finger joints. The idea that it leads to arthritis is a myth that has been passed around for awhile as a way to get people to break their habit of knuckle cracking.

False
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by Novice (520 points)
This claim is true and rooted in a reputable source. John Hopkins is a reputable research institute that information can be trusted from. Additionally, in the Harvard article attached below, they merely say that it can lead to reduced grip strength, but no proof leads to arthritis from cracking knuckles. The cracking of knuckles doesn't particularly create a strain on your fingers that would lead to arthritis, rather it creates a negative space that produces the pop sound when the fingers are bent. This is very reassuring as an avid knuckle cracker myself.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/does-knuckle-cracking-cause-arthritis
True
by Newbie (300 points)
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Since I am also a knuckle-cracker, it is comforting for you and other frequent knuckle-crackers to know that this behavior is generally safe from a health perspective. I like how you gave this honest viewpoint!
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by Novice (780 points)
Your claim is true, knuckle cracking doesn't lead to arthritis. From other sources that I've found to the one that you've used, everything seems to be coming to the same conclusion, that it doesn't cause arthritis but, it does have other affects on your fingers such as reduced grip strength and possible inflammation.
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by Newbie (300 points)

It's often thought that cracking your fingers causes arthritis, but a significant study that looked at the long-term effects of knuckle cracking and was published in the "Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine" showed no link between the practice and the start of arthritis. In order to prove that arthritis was not caused by it, the principal investigator, Dr. Donald Unger, famously cracked the knuckles of one hand for more than 60 years while avoiding it in the other. But over time, repetitive cracking may result in further problems like soft tissue inflammation or reduced grip. Therefore, cracking your knuckles does not seem to cause arthritis, even though it may irritate some people. In general, it is not harmful. Harvard's conclusions are supported by several studies that compare the rate of hand arthritis in people who frequently crack their knuckles and those who don't. After confirming the information, it is fair to conclude that, even if it may not be the best, cracking your knuckles is unlikely to cause arthritis.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/does-knuckle-cracking-cause-arthritis

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ago by Newbie (280 points)
This claim is false. According to a Harvard Health Publishing article, the habit of popping your knuckles has no science in causing arthritis. The pop sound is by bursting the bubbles in the synovial fluid. The article states that even though it does not lead to arthritis the habit shouldn't be encouraged. It can lead to reduced grip strength and injuries in your fingers.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/does-knuckle-cracking-cause-arthritis
False

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