Is It Harmful To Break Your Knuckles?

To pop the joints, break fingers or crunch the knuckles (whatever you want to call it). It is a very common practice, mostly because we use it to relieve tension. However, various studies have shown that it is harmful to break your knuckles. This article will explain the reasons why such a conclusion has been drawn. As well as what happens when you hear the unique crackling sound.

The sound we hear when we break our knuckles, wrists, ankles or any other part of the body comes from the bursting of bubbles that contain a protective fluid for our joints. It is good to keep in mind that our joints are the point of contact where our bones meet and that they are covered in thick “synovial fluid”. For example, when a finger joint is popped, stretched or bent, the joint is separated.

The capsule surrounding the joint is stretched and enlarged, which lowers its pressure. When this happens, bubbles of the dissolved gases form in the synovial fluid. Then they explode and make the characteristic crackling sound.

The gas needs half an hour to dissolve in the liquid which means that after popping a joint and hearing a ‘crack’, you should wait for 30 minutes before trying again. In terms of risks of this general habit, it is worth pointing out that there are not many scientific studies. Attempts have been made to analyze different people who often broke their knuckles to find out if it has caused damage to their joints, such as arthritis or osteoarthritis.

What was discovered during this study was that the fingers showed signs of injury, such as ligament injuries and a decreased ability to hold on to things. This seems to be related to the rapid and repetitive stretching and contracting of the ligaments.

The truth is that after breaking your knuckles, there is a greater degree of mobility and a feeling of relaxation in the joints. For this reason, it develops into a daily habit for many people. On the other hand, there are others who often visit specialists, called a chiropractor. If the goal is to “re-arrange” the bones and “put them in place” to relieve tension. Those who receive such a treatment feel loosened up and more relaxed, with less soreness and fewer muscle contractions.

Some researchers claim that this is the primary consequence of breaking your joints, especially by breaking your finger muscles. However, note that this is often a problem for people who are not very physically active, as it is the only time of day when muscles and joints are stretched. Lack of movement results in poor muscle strength, making it feel like they are worn out or tired. And a vicious circle has started where a person starts cracking their fingers to get that relaxed feeling for a few hours, only to have to do it again a little bit later.

We often want to relieve pain or contractions with this movement. But we should also keep in mind that for our joints it is something sudden, unnatural and not very appropriate. And contrary to popular belief, it does not reduce muscle tension. But rather results in the loss of more synovial fluid, the natural lubricant that prevents the friction between the bones. This can lead to breakdown of the joints but also increase the likelihood of fracture or broken bones. Other consequences are stiffness, deformation of the injured area, and severe pain that goes away at rest.

Those who suffer the most from this problem are adults over the age of 40. And the areas where breaking the joints results in the greatest breakdown are in the hands (fingers and wrists) and in the neck. The best way to avoid this problem is by exercising, taking into account our age and physical condition. Walking and swimming are the most recommended forms of exercise.

Other highly recommended activities are those that promote muscle strength and flexibility. Because they result in increased endurance at all tasks without damaging or straining the joints. After passing the age of 30, the joint tissue begins to lose elasticity. So it is even more important to prevent or eliminate bad habits such as physical inactivity and bad working postures in front of computer or TV.

Many people ask if breaking their knuckles or popping their joints can result in the development of arthritis. Although it was mentioned earlier in the article, the truth is that if it is a regular, daily habit for many years, then the cartilage will theoretically be damaged.

One of the best known studies on this topic was conducted by Dr. Donald Unger, who for more than 60 years broke the finger knuckles on his left hand twice a day but did not do so on his right hand. Every year he examined his hands and never found traces of a degenerative disease, not even in the hand he “broke”.

Another study examined 30 elderly people at a nursing home in Los Angeles. Those who had broken their knuckles all their lives did not have osteoarthritis. In a third study, this time with 45-year-old adults from Detroit, it was discovered. That the biggest problem was loss of strength in their grip, and also that over 80% of those examined suffered from swelling in the hands.

For this reason, it is recommended that you do not constantly break your knuckles. Although if you do it from time to time, to release tension, does not seem to be a bad thing.

We hope we have answered the frequently asked question: ” Is it harmful to break your knuckles?” Thanks for reading the article!