—Amanda F., recent graduate, Johnson & Wales University
Cracking knuckles or other joints, such as the knees and shoulders, does not appear to be bad for your health. The cracking and popping you hear is usually due to tendons sliding over the bones that are part of a joint, or air bubbles in the joint popping.
Does cracking your knuckles lead to arthritis?
A common concern is that cracking knuckles may cause long-term joint problems in the future, such as osteoarthritis, but this doesn’t seem to be the case. Osteoarthritis is related to “old age” (though it can occur as early as one’s 40s). It is the degeneration of cartilage in the joint, followed by the body’s attempt to fix that problem by forming new bone spicules (or spikes) that are not supposed to be there. Symptoms of osteoarthritis include joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. This type of arthritis may be related to overuse at an earlier age. It may be difficult to manage, but various options are available, from medication to surgery.
Cracking joints vs. crepitations
Cracking of joints can be confused with a symptom of osteoarthritis called crepitations. Crepitations are multiple popping sounds (like crunching or grating) that occur when the joint is moved. They can be felt—by placing a hand over the joint—more than heard. These can indicate more advanced joint damage and need to be assessed by a medical professional.
So crack your knuckles all you want. It’s unlikely to cause any long-term problems. However, if other noises are occurring or if the sounds are accompanied by pain or swelling, it’s best to check with your health care provider to rule out arthritis or other joint damage.
