Arthritis causes: Does cracking your fingers cause Arthritis?

2020-03-07

If you’re constantly crack your knuckles, you’ve probably been warned off doing it by your friends, family, or coworkers. You might have even been told that cracking your knuckles breaks the bones of your dead ancestors. For some reason, many people seem to believe that cracking your knuckles can cause athritis later in life, but does it really?

Why do people crack their knuckles?

There are many pleasures involved in cracking joints, for those who engage in it.

Some people simply love the sound it makes, and others think it relieves tension in the joint (but there is no evidence of this).

For more anxious individuals, knuckle cracking is a habit they just cant quit.

It’s a way to keep your hands busy while you’re nervous, much like talking with your hands, wringing them, or playing with your hair.

Cracking your knuckles might indicate that you’re feeling stressed, with your knuckles providing an area to take it out on.

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Does cracking your fingers cause Arthritis?

The scientific word for the popping of your knuckle joints is crepitus.

Scientists have researched crepitus and its impact and have concluded that the risk of developing arthritis is no higher if you crack your knuckles.

It’s exactly the same for other joints that pop, like your hips or knees.

Why do knuckles crack

When you crack your knuckles, gas bubbles are released in the fluid surrounding your joints.

?This activity is harmless, unless you experience discomfort while cracking.

If your knuckles swell or ache when you do this, you may have a pre-existing condition that is aggravated when you put pressure on the joint.

So if you don’t feel any pain, then it’s absolutely fine to crack your knuckles (even if you get some funny looks!)

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What does cause Arthritis?

The most two common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis affects nearly nine million people in the UK, and often develops among people 45 or older.

It occurs as as a result of an injury, or is sometimes connected with other joint-related conditions like gout.

The condition mostly affects the joints in the hands, spine, knees and hips.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects over 400,000 people in the UK and is caused by the body’s immune system attacking joints.

This leads to pain, swelling and sometimes shape-change in the joint, as well as bone and cartilage break-down.

How can I stop cracking my knuckles?

Experts suggest that in order to break the habit, you must identify what is causing you to do it in the first place- are you stressed, nervous, or do you just love the feeling?

Once you’ve done this, can you find another way to fulfil that desire? If you’re anxious, maybe try meditation or taking some deep breaths.

Purchase a stress ball in order to ween yourself off until the need disappears for good.

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