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MYTH!
A study done by Donald Unger involved cracking one hand over a 60-year period but not the other hand. At the end of the time span, both hands were left without any traces of arthritis. There has been no evidence proving it causes arthritis as well, so the statement of cracking knuckles leading to arthritis can be seen as false.
So, cracking your knuckles may not give you arthritis; however there are other consequences that can occur from doing so. See below for how cracking your knuckles works and what it can mean for your body.
Why Do I Hear a "POP" When Cracking My Knuckles?
Why Do I Hear a "POP" When Cracking My Knuckles?
The way cracking knuckles works and why that "popping" sound is heard is because of gas in the synovial fluid. Synovial fluid is the fluid that helps joints move easily. When you crack your knuckles, your joint is stretched and the pressure in the synovial fluid decreases. The low pressure leads to the gas in the synovial fluid being turned into "bubbles." The bubbles will then "pop" leading to the sound heard when you crack your knuckles. The gas takes time to dissolve into the synovial fluid, so it may take about 20 minutes until being able to crack the same joint again.
Should I Crack My Knuckles?
Overall, it is harmless, but it could be avoided. It may cause temporary swelling or as in the case of the neck, cause inflammation of the nerves1 and lead to injuries being more severe in the future.2 It may also lead to reduced grip strength, and some articles have shown those who suffered injuries when trying to crack their knuckles.3
Is Cracking Your Knuckles Bad If You Have Arthritis?
No, however, theoretically, it might be. According to Rheumatology Fellow, Dimitrios Pappas, M.D at John Hopkins University "theoretically 'knuckle – cracking' in patients with weak or damaged joints due to arthritis could potentially lead more easily to ligament injury or acute trauma to the joints."
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