Question

Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis

Answer 1

According to Harvard Health Publishing from Harvard Medical School, the conclusion of several studies they have done is that cracking your knuckles does not raise your chances of arthritis. Although it does not lead to arthritis, it can lead to reduced grip strength because when you crack your knuckles, you are pulling your bones apart and the bubbles between your joints pops.

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

Answer 2

There have been multiple instances of qualified doctors debunking this claim, including but not limited to:

- Eric Ruderman, a rheumatologist at Northwestern Medicine, who states, "The truth is there is no connection between cracking your knuckles and arthritis — or any other long-term health problem."

- Dr. John Fackler, an orthopedic surgeon at Houston Methodist, who states, "There are no known detrimental effects to cracking your knuckles." At worst, knuckle-cracking may cause temporary swelling or a feeling of weakness in the hands — but arthritis, not quite."

- Michael Behr, an orthopedic surgeon, who states, "There are no definitive links between knuckle cracking and arthritis or any other medical condition..."

So to conclude, there is no fear in causing arthritis when cracking your knuckles. Crack away!

Sources:

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

https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2020/jun/does-cracking-your-knuckles-cause-arthritis/

https://www.piedmont.org/living-real-change/myth-buster-is-knuckle-cracking-bad-for-you