Knuckle cracking is a common habit worldwide with up to 54 percent of people reportedly engaging in it, according to tridenthealthsystem.com. Despite the widespread belief that it causes joint issues, many people find the unmistakable popping sound to provide a sense of relief in their everyday lives. Some report that the reasoning behind their cracks comes from nervousness but most do it unknowingly, according to loyolamedicine.org.
When people crack their knuckles, the joint capsule, which is filled with synovial fluid, expands. This stretching decreases the pressure within the joint, causing dissolved gases like nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide to form bubbles. The formation and collapse of these bubbles produce the typical popping noise. However, many people still widely misunderstand or are unaware of of the cause and effect of knuckle cracking, according to acsh.org.
The major concern for people worldwide surrounding this habit is joint health and, most importantly, arthritis risk. Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more joints. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age, according to mayoclinic.org. There are myths that knuckle cracking makes people more susceptible to developing arthritis later in life. The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine (JABFM) attempted to debunk the stigma through their research, which indicates no association between knuckle cracking and the development of arthritis. The study concluded that habitual knuckle cracking does not appear to be a risk factor for hand osteoarthritis, a type of developmental arthritis, according to jabfm.org.
The American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) also disproved the idea that knuckle cracking can cause joint issues. They reported that the physical examinations of common knuckle crackers show no signs of pain or swelling. Moreover, the ACSH did not observe any differences in grip strength or joint laxity between knuckle crackers and non-crackers. Mr. Robert D. Boutin and colleagues completed a study examining 40 healthy adults. He used an ultrasound to record every attempted crack of the knuckle at the base of each finger. Ten of the 40 adults reported that they do not crack their fingers, while the other 30 said they do on a regular basis. He tested for grip strength, range of motion, and the laxity of the joint in the hands of crackers and non-crackers. Mr. Boutin stated that there are no real signs of knuckle cracking causing any ailments, according to acsh.org.
“Physical examinations of participants showed no signs of pain, swelling or disability, nor were any differences observed in grip strength or joint laxity between the knuckle crackers and non-crackers,” Mr. Boutin said, according to acsh.org. “Further research will be needed in the future to measure any long-term hazard or benefit.”
There are some minor health risks associated with knuckle cracking. While these risks are not harmful, they are still present in the hands of those who crack their knuckles. Constant cracking causes temporary damage to ligaments or tendons surrounding the joint and may affect the appearance of one’s fingers. However, this is rare and typically resolves with treatment, according to hopkinsarthritis.org.
In a poll of Sacred Heart Greenwich Upper School students, the results showed that a majority of students crack their knuckles. Out of 173 responses, 136 stated that they do crack their knuckles, while only 37 stated that they do not. That data concludes that 78.6 percent of students engage in this habit, compared to 21.4 percent who do not.
Knuckle cracking is a widespread habit, with many myths about its negative effects. Scientific research largely debunks these effects. Studies, including those by the JABFM and the ACSH, indicate that knuckle cracking does not increase the risk of joint issues or arthritis. Although minor risks such as temporary soft tissue damage can occur, these are rare and usually resolve with little intervention. The overwhelming majority of people, as seen in the Sacred Heart student poll, engage in this habit. Ultimately, this habit may be a source of comfort or relief in many people’s lives according to harvard.health.edu.
Featured Image by Casey Smith ’26
