What Happens When You Crack Your Knuckles?

Here's what happens to your knuckles when you crack them

There's a persistent belief suggesting that cracking your knuckles can cause harm to your hands. The sound may indeed trigger discomfort among those nearby, but what's behind these noises, and is there any real risk involved?

Within your joints resides a space filled with synovial fluid, a liquid that diminishes friction as you move. This fluid contains a mix of gases, including oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide.

When you crack a joint, you're essentially stretching out this space between the bones. This stretching generates negative pressure akin to a vacuum, drawing in the synovial fluid. The resulting bubbles collapse, creating the audible pop.

According to most medical sources, unless cracking your joints causes pain, it's likely safe to continue doing so. Despite various studies, including one involving an individual who exclusively cracked the knuckles of one hand for 60 years, no direct link has been established between knuckle cracking and arthritis.
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