What happens when you crack your knuckles?

[chefurbo]

So what’s really physically going on when you crack your knuckles? Why can some people do it easily and some can’t? Is it unhealthy in any way? Are there any long-term repercussions?

[TheBoneyKingofNowhere]

@chefurbo

Are there any long-term repercussions?

Arthritis —> Vioxx —> Death

But, hey, it doesn’t stop me (from cracking)…
Somebody once told me that this guy broke his neck while “cracking” it, something I’ll inadvertantly do on occasion…

[CynicalGabe]

You get arthritis, like me. I’m 23ish, been cracking my knuckles for about a decade. Trying hard to stop, but its a habit. My hands hurt like a mofo when its cold.

[GorillaMan]

howstuffworks:

Joints produce that crack when bubbles burst in the fluid surrounding the joint.

[Test] results revealed no apparent connection between joint cracking and arthritis; however, habitual knuckle poppers did show signs of other types of damage, including soft tissue damage to the joint capsule and a decrease in grip strength. This damage is most likely a result of the rapid, repeated stretching of the ligaments surrounding the joint.

[nivlac]

@chefurbo

So what’s really physically going on when you crack your knuckles? Why can some people do it easily and some can’t? Is it unhealthy in any way? Are there any long-term repercussions?

Cecil answered this here.

[Flander]

nivlac beat me to the Cecil link. I just wanted to add that a good, deep hip crack, though rare, is one of the best feelings ever.

[samclem]

Since this one has been covered by Cecil, let’s shove it over there.

Moved by samclem GQ moderator

[bluezooky]

@CynicalGabe

You get arthritis, like me. I’m 23ish, been cracking my knuckles for about a decade. Trying hard to stop, but its a habit. My hands hurt like a mofo when its cold.

This was a big worry for me as teenager but thirty years latter it no worse. You could probably fix the situation practicing biofeedback exercises ,imagining your hands feeling warmer etc, theirs a bit of a knack to it ,it’s either impossible or very easy if you know what I mean .
Cheers