# knuckle cracking

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knuckle-cracking/200831>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 10, 2003, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knuckle-cracking/200831 "2003-09-10T20:09:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mr\_barbecue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/aca169/32.png) [@mr\_barbecue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr_barbecue)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knuckle-cracking/200831/1 "2003-09-10T20:09:36Z")

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ok im sure this has been answered before but my internet connection is being really stupid and wont load half the pages. anyhoo is your cracking knuckles bad for you? has it always been discouraged because its not polite or does it give you arthritis?

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**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knuckle-cracking/200831/2 "2003-09-10T21:29:43Z")

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Cecil’s response:  
[What’s actually cracking when you crack your knuckles?](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_305b.html)

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**Author:** ![Bongmaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Bongmaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bongmaster)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knuckle-cracking/200831/3 "2003-09-11T13:15:34Z")

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No arthritis, slight release of pressure built up in your joints, no biggie. I do it 20 times a day at least.