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in General Factchecking by Novice (500 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​
ago by (100 points)
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The belief that cracking your knuckles leads to arthritis is a pretty common myth. According to the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, there is no evidence that knuckle cracking causes arthritis or other joint damage. Similarly, the Department of Orthopedics at UAMS Health states that while knuckle cracking may cause temporary joint soreness, it does not and will not lead to arthritis. Therefore, cracking your knuckles does not cause arthritis.
ago by (100 points)
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The belief that cracking your knuckles leads to arthritis is a pretty common myth. According to the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, there is no evidence that knuckle cracking causes arthritis or other joint damage. Similarly, the Department of Orthopedics at UAMS Health states that while knuckle cracking may cause temporary joint soreness, it does not and will not lead to arthritis. Therefore, cracking your knuckles does not cause arthritis.

https://uamshealth.com/medical-myths/will-cracking-your-knuckles-cause-arthritis/

https://www.hopkinsarthritis.org/arthritis-news/knuckle-cracking-q-a-from/
ago by (100 points)
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After reading this fact and learning about it in the link included, I learned that arthritis doesn't come from cracking your knuckles. But it can cause injury. I saw that your headline was a false headline but your evidence to go with it was all true.
ago by Newbie (260 points)
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Initially, it's important to note that this article and its claim is relying on a well-known and credible source, which allows us to view this claim through a different lense. This article claims the myth that cracking your knuckles leads to arthritis is just that; a myth. According to Eric M. Ruderman, (a rheumatologist at Northwestern Medicine), there is truly no connection between cracking knuckles and arthritis because it is just the expulsion of gas bubbles.
ago by (100 points)
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While the concern that cracking your knuckles can lead to long lasting effects such as arthritis is valid, there has been no known correlation between cracking your knuckles and arthritis.

"The relation of habitual knuckle cracking to osteoarthrosis with functional impairment of the hand has long been considered an old wives' tale without experimental support. The mechanical sequelae of knuckle cracking have been shown to produce the rapid release of energy in the form of sudden vibratory energy, much like the forces responsible for the destruction of hydraulic blades and ship propellers.

There was no increased preponderance of arthritis of the hand in either group; however, habitual knuckle crackers were more likely to have hand swelling and lower grip strength. Habitual knuckle cracking was associated with manual labour, biting of the nails, smoking, and drinking alcohol. It is concluded that habitual knuckle cracking results in functional hand impairment."

This quote taken from a study by the National Library of Medicine explains what the popping sound in knuckle is caused by, and how knuckle cracking does not cause arthritis, although it can increase chances in developing functional hand impairment.

"Repetitive and intentional joint cracking won't cause cartilage damage or arthritis, but it may lead to other serious issues like instability within the joint and a loss of grip strength or hand function."

This excerpt from CentraCare also explores the possibility of repeated knuckle cracking leading to lower and function.

In short, cracking your knuckles will not lead to arthritis, but can lead to a loss in hand function .

https://www.centracare.com/articles-stories/cracking-knuckles-cause-arthritis
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1004074/

91 Answers

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ago by Newbie (300 points)
According to northwestern medicine, cracking your knuckles does not cause arthritis. Eric M. Ruderman, MD is a rheumatologist at Northwestern and he says “The truth is there is no connection between cracking your knuckles and arthritis — or any other long-term health problem,”

https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/can-you-get-arthritis-from-cracking-your-knuckles#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThe%20truth%20is%20there%20is,a%20rheumatologist%20at%20Northwestern%20Medicine.

According to John Hopkins Arthritis Center, the fluid between the joints of the knuckles creates a gas when it forms. When someone cracks their knuckles they are releasing the gas and creating the signature popping sound. This does not cause arthritis or any other sort of long term issues.
Exaggerated/ Misleading

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