BLOG 487 POPPING YOUR KNUCKLES

BLOG 487 POPPING YOUR KNUCKLES

Knuckle crackers have a bad habit of making this sound throughout the day. It seems like such a painless and even harmless action, but the constant repetition might take its toll on the joints. Luckily this habit does not affect or cause arthritis. The cracking or popping noise is produced from the negative pressure pulling nitrogen gas into the joint. This is the synovial fluid that lubricates the joints and makes a bubbling sound. The bubbles pop when you pull the bones apart. Another reason noise can occur is because the tendons are snapping over the tissues as their gliding paths are changing. As long as there is not pain when this noise is occurring, there is not any immediate problem. Even though mom and dad warned us not to crack or pop our knuckles, there has been no scientific proof that damage will result. What was once a defiant childhood activity, might stick and become a lifelong habit.

This is quite a popular compulsion as nearly 54% of the population does this. Males are frequent knuckle crackers and poppers. Even though it is a myth that knuckle cracking and popping will lead to arthritis, there may be other reasons to hang up the habit. This repetitive motion can lead to reduced hand grip strength. Eventually, over time, the joints do become stretched out and weakened. It can also lead to soft tissue swelling. The nature of cracking or popping the knuckles is what can be damaging. A person typically turns the knuckles sideways, pulls on the bones around the joints, or bends the fingers far forwards or backwards. Still most people don’t develop arthritis from this.

For some reason people seek the cracking and popping noise. This nuance might help relieve anxiety, reduce feelings of nervousness, be done out of excitement, a person might feel restless, or merely because of boredom. Some people feel a need to make this noise and eventually don’t even realize how often or when they are doing this. Kids might just like the funny noise.

Gas bubbles in the joints don’t need to be alleviated, but if some reason a person likes to excuse their knuckles and hear the sound, then no foul no harm. Our fingers do so much for us between writing, typing, well…. everything. Maintaining joint health is always important so if pooping or cracking the knuckles is associated with pain, then the habit should be left to rest. Inflammation is never a good idea. Little nuances and vices can sometimes be detrimental due to their repetitive nature, but for now, knuckle popping and cracking hasn’t made the negative list to avoid. However, we should always listen to mom and dad and pass down these traditions and rules to our own even if these fallacies are harmless.