Cracking knuckles - Precursor to Arthritis or an Urban Myth?

[seaborn]

I crack my knuckles a lot (about 2 times a day) as my fingers get locked in a position sometimes, and it can hurt occasionally. Anyway, I did it whilst in the office yesterday and someone shouted the age old "you'll get arthritis when you get older" � Is that true or is it an urban myth? I thought I read somewhere that the sound was just air pockets cracking in your knuckles.

[kazzianne]

I asked my doctor this question once and he told me that it was just an old wives tale and that you couldnt get arthritis through doing this - hope he was right!

[Ethel]

You are right about the air pockets.

It won't cause arthritis - but it may cause those near you to smack you over the head.

[Pippa68]

I always tell my son this ~ I know it isn't true, but I say it in order for him to stop doing it. It's better to say that than him have a bloodied nose, right? ;o)

[PhilBy]

Found this answer elsewhere:.........

No, of course it doesnt.A study focused on 300 habitual knuckle crackers found no evidence linking knuckle cracking and arthritis. Chronic crackers did suffer other harm, including soft tissue damage and loss of grip strength. This damage is usually minor, however, and cracking your knuckles actually has some benefits -- you'll feel looser and enjoy more mobility in your joints immediately after popping