September 10, 2014
Wives Tales that are the Real Deal #16: Cracking Knuckles
I've been cracking my knuckles since my teenage years, and I always heard this old adage:
Don't crack your knuckles, or you will develop arthritis young.
Well, this wives' tale is only partially true…
Arthritis is a disorder that sets in to the joints when the cartilage cushioning the bones wears out. Cracking knuckles WILL NOT cause you to develop arthritis, but there is a VERY small chance that you can damage your knuckles enough to make them more likely to develop arthritis.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Source: kuwaitiful.com[/caption]
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that comes from a lot of wear and tear (Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder). If you crack your knuckles all the time, adding that stress to a very physically demanding job can increase your risk of developing arthritis. It's often the result of repetitive motion.
However, no study has ever linked cracking knuckles to arthritis directly.
Note: If you experience pain while cracking your knuckles, it may be a sign of bursitis--another repetitive motion injury.
Source: kuwaitiful.com[/caption]
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that comes from a lot of wear and tear (Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder). If you crack your knuckles all the time, adding that stress to a very physically demanding job can increase your risk of developing arthritis. It's often the result of repetitive motion.
However, no study has ever linked cracking knuckles to arthritis directly.
Note: If you experience pain while cracking your knuckles, it may be a sign of bursitis--another repetitive motion injury.