Humanity’s age-old question about knuckle cracking has found an answer on social media. Growing up, children often heard various myths from friends, parents, and teachers—like carrots enhancing night vision or the risk of fruit seeds growing inside. Misconceptions prevailed, making it a topic of curiosity and discussion.
A widely-known myth suggested that cracking your knuckles would lead to arthritis later in life. However, a video circulating on Reddit, particularly on the damnthatsinteresting board, appears to debunk this myth. The video, originating from a Vox YouTube short, provides an explanation for the satisfying pop sound when cracking fingers and knuckles.
The narrator explained, “There is a lubricant-like substance found between your joints called Synovial fluid,” showcasing the cracking of knuckles within an MRI machine.
Containing primarily dissolved gases, notably CO2, Synovial fluid forms bubbles during a pressure change when you pull on your finger. Immediately, these bubbles partially collapse, producing the familiar sound. Interestingly, you need to wait around 20 minutes for the remaining bubbles to dissolve before being able to crack your knuckles again.
The pop sound upon standing up quickly differs from knuckle cracking. It likely stems from tendons snapping as they slide over bones. Regarding the safety of a knuckle cracking habit, Donald Unger, a doctor, popped the joints in one hand for 60 years to test if it would lead to arthritis.
It has been confirmed by various studies, including the case of Donald Unger, that knuckle cracking doesn’t lead to arthritis. It appears that the habit isn’t harmful to the person cracking their knuckles but might be bothersome to those who can hear it. Social media users celebrated this revelation, relieved that their childhood habits haven’t caused lasting harm. One user expressed, “Thank God it’s not doing damage… I’d be screwed.” Another shared, “Popping my toes is my favorite thing to do. After watching this, I was compelled to crack everything lol.” Someone else chimed in, “Good to know, I do this daily!! Carry on.”
“Great! Now I can crack my knuckles, wrists, neck, shoulders, upper back, pelvis, knees, ankles, and toes in peace,” shared a Reddit user. While cracking knuckles is generally harmless, it might potentially cause damage if done incorrectly or excessively, as with anything else.