Are you the knuckle cracker? Did anyone warn you by saying that this habit will lead to osteoarthritis? Don’t worry! There’s no evidence to back up that saying.
Cracking your knuckles is not the cause of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage, which coats the ends of the joints, breaks down. As the cartilage continues to tear over time, the bones rub each other, which hinders your movement and causes pain. Remember that the causes of osteoarthritis include wear-and-tear, repeated hand movements, past trauma and a genetic predisposition if any.
How does the popping sound arise during knuckle cracking?
Your finger joints consist of synovial fluid that helps in moving around the joints smoothly. This fluid has gas bubbles. Whenever you crack your knuckles, you extend the space between the joints. Hence, the bubbles will burst, followed by creating a popping sound. Since it takes time for the bubbles to accumulate again, you can’t crack the same knuckle again in a row.
Can knuckle cracking leads to osteoarthritis?
No. There is ample scientific evidence to back up why not. A 1998 research article published in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatology [1] revealed that there is no connection between knuckle cracking and osteoarthritis condition. Another research article published in the year 2011 [2] revealed the incidence of osteoarthritis among the people who cracked their knuckles and those who didn’t.
Will knuckle cracking leads to any other issues?
A 1990 research study published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases [3] revealed that a habitual knuckle cracker might experience a reduction in hand grip and hand swelling over time. But no evidence to date cracking the knuckles causes osteoarthritis. However, if you feel pain while cracking your knuckles, there might be some other problem with the joint structure, including cartilage or ligaments.
Don’t let these symptoms put you down! Medical Stem Cells Clinic in Ireland and the UK recommends regenerative therapy as the best alternative to treat joint problems.
Regenerative cell therapy for joint problems
Medical Stem Cells Clinic in Ireland and UK provide regenerative therapies including Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and cell therapy, to treat the underlying causes. These non-surgical therapies not only help with pain but also repair the injured tissues and regenerate their functions naturally. This minimally invasive therapy can slow down the effect of ageing on cartilages, regenerate tissues, tendons and help with joints problems. As the cells are extracted from your own body, there is no risk of transmissible infection or allergy. This therapy is safe same-day treatment. Hence, regenerative therapy is the best alternative to surgery to treat joint problems.
For more information about the regenerative cell treatment, please feel free to refer to the website http://www.medicastemcells.com. We use platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, prolotherapy, mesenchymal cell therapy combined with physical therapy to tackle the cause of joint problems. Contact Medica Stem Cells Clinic in Ireland by calling 01 298 8000.
So, you need not stop this habit out of osteoarthritic fear. Even if you have any other joint problems, regenerative therapy is there to heal you naturally. You can crack your knuckles as much as you want!
References
Unger DL. Does knuckle cracking lead to arthritis of the fingers?. Arthritis Rheum. 1998;41(5):949-950. doi:10.1002/1529-0131(199805)41:5<949::AID-ART36>3.0.CO;2-3
Deweber K, Olszewski M, Ortolano R. Knuckle cracking and hand osteoarthritis. J Am Board Fam Med. 2011;24(2):169-174. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2011.02.100156
Castellanos J, Axelrod D. Effect of habitual knuckle cracking on hand function. Ann Rheum Dis. 1990;49(5):308-309. doi:10.1136/ard.49.5.308
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