Knuckle cracking?

[FatAlToTheMax]

I crack my knuckles persistently throughout each and every day with out ever a second thought (not even a first thought, it often just happens out of habit). My question is, is it really that bad for you. I've heard it causes arthritis but my own research showed that that wasn't so true but I have also heard that it causes reduced hand strength. I haven't seen any problems thus far but who knows what the future holds. Anyone have problems with knuckle cracking, thoughts?

 

[Cap'n]

I crack my knuckles constantly, and I have no problems with grip strength.

I'm sure someone on here will prove me wrong, but I think it's a damn old wives tale

 

[The Colonel]

Popping your knuckles is not going to negatively impact you at all. I have cracked my knuckles pretty much obsessively for my life. Its just something I do. Personally I think that if you can pop it it isn't going to hurt you, otherwise why would it feel so good to pop something? And if popping bones was bad for you, wouldn't chiropractors be put completely out of business through malpractice suits?

I've always had really good finger and hand strength and whenever I first meet people they pretty much always say "damn" after I shake their hand and I'm just shaking their hand not trying to crush it. I think a lot of this is because I grappled with a gi for years, and then did sub wrestling, lots of fingertip push-ups, grabbing sand in a bucket, plus I worked at UPS for three years moving boxes. When your job-and your safety-depend on your ability to grip something awkwardly shaped that can be up to 150 lbs you learn to hold on for dear life.

 

[juanlawnmower]

When my wrist started popping at will was when my grip started going bad. Knuckle cracking isn't really a big deal.

 

[BlackSwordsMan]

Popping your knuckles is not going to negatively impact you at all. I have cracked my knuckles pretty much obsessively for my life. Its just something I do. Personally I think that if you can pop it it isn't going to hurt you, otherwise why would it feel so good to pop something? And if popping bones was bad for you, wouldn't chiropractors be put completely out of business through malpractice suits?

I've always had really good finger and hand strength and whenever I first meet people they pretty much always say "damn" after I shake their hand and I'm just shaking their hand not trying to crush it. I think a lot of this is because I grappled with a gi for years, and then did sub wrestling, lots of fingertip push-ups, grabbing sand in a bucket, plus I worked at UPS for three years moving boxes. When your job-and your safety-depend on your ability to grip something awkwardly shaped that can be up to 150 lbs you learn to hold on for dear life.

Hrm good point. I've always wondered about cracking them. I do it like 3 times a day.

 

[jk3004]

Crack away sir, crack away.

 

[younggunz]

cavitation within the joint – small cavities of partial vacuum form in the fluid then rapidly collapse, producing a sharp sound (this applies to the popping that can occur in any joint such as during chiropractic manipulation)

A single event is not enough to cause damage to the joint, although there is a hypothesis that prolonged joint stress due to cracking knuckles may eventually lead to a higher risk of joint damage. The long-term consequences of this practice have not been studied thoroughly, and the scientific evidence is inconclusive. However, the common parental advice "cracking your knuckles gives you arthritis" is not supported by any evidence, but habitual knuckle crackers are more likely to have hand swelling and lower grip strength

 

[juanlawnmower]

cavitation within the joint

 

[Lusst]

I've been doing it for as long as I can remember...but am trying to ween myself off of it just in case the grip strength theory proves true.

For the record, grip is my weakest link as far as training goes.

 

[Zerocrew1984]

cardio mr. lusst?

 

[PhxJudoJujitsu]

I crack my knuckles persistently throughout each and every day with out ever a second thought (not even a first thought, it often just happens out of habit). My question is, is it really that bad for you. I've heard it causes arthritis but my own research showed that that wasn't so true but I have also heard that it causes reduced hand strength. I haven't seen any problems thus far but who knows what the future holds. Anyone have problems with knuckle cracking, thoughts?

There is no evidence that cracking your knuckles is bad for you

 

[Lusst]

cardio mr. lusst?

No thank you, Sire.

*passes dish*

 

[FatAlToTheMax]

Well with this evidence I doubt I'll stop (it'd be a bitch to even if I tired) but perhaps the weak hand strength is found in people who don't do hand strength exercises or lift in general. I don't know if this is true but it's now my guess.

 

[mungos]

I crack my knuckles, wrists, neck and elbows all the time, no problem here.

 

[Chris Beeby]

My knees and elbows do it automatically. And my left hip joint if I bend down to pick stuff up alot in the morning, and my knuckles without even thinking.

 

[TheCuttlefish]

If your joints make noise every time you move them you are likely to develop problems. However, Knuckle cracking is just pockets of air, there's no reason it would cause problems.

 

[RobCannella]

almost all my fingers are crooked now. I popped them too the side when I was young (kinda of like the two middle fingers when you make a west side W). I believe it was caused by the knuckle popping in such a manor when I was so youg. Now I can close my fist and make them pop fung fu movie style which is pretty cool though.

 

[SteveX]

I heard that it is just air bubbles in that build up, and when you crack your knuckles they pop and make that sound.

No ill effects that I have noticed. I think it is kind of like when you have a elbow or ankle that cracks a lot. No pain = no worries...as far as I know.

 

[Dirty Holt]

i think it helps. when my hands are full of co2 in the capsules, they feel less flexible and strong. once i pop them, i feel much better.

 

[ahab]

I used to crack my knuckles a lot. I weaned myself off it. I don't know if it was the cracking or other injuries but now when I crack my knuckles my fingers don't feel "on". (pretty much the opposite of the previous poster)