What Does Knuckle Cracking Really Cause Arthritis Important?

Arthritis is painful inflammation and swelling of the joints. The term is used to describe around 200 rheumatic diseases and conditions that affect joints (Arthritis Information). The biggest misconception about the condition is that it can be caused by cracking your knuckles. This myth originated from people drawing conclusions without scientific evidence, and just like every other myth or rumor, the false information spread quickly. So if popping your knuckles does not lead to arthritis then what is the point of it, and is it bad for you? What really causes arthritis? The answers to these questions will calm the mind of a habitual knuckle cracker. Knuckles are joints and are covered by a joint capsule or synovial capsule. Within the capsule

However, this is due to cartilage over the top of the joint being damaged, and the cracking is not an early symptom of arthritis. The cracking is also not a cause, but more of a consequence. The cause of arthritis is primarily from hard labor, age, family history, or previous injuries (Arthritis: Causes, symptoms, and Treatments). Not many studies have been done to disassociate arthritis and knuckle popping, but from the studies that have been carried out, none can relate the two. One of the most famous studies was a self-inflicted study done by a doctor named Donald Unger. For over 60 years he cracked only the knuckles on his left hand to see if there would be a difference between his hands later in life. He ended the research by saying “I am looking at my fingers, and there is not the slightest sign of arthritis in either hand” (Hammond). Other studies include, but are not limited to, one done in 1975 in a Jewish nursing home, a large study in Detroit in 1990, and the most recent one, which is the most comprehensive study. The study that was limited to the Jewish nursing home included 28 residents in Los Angeles. They were asked if they had popped their knuckles throughout their lives, and the results showed that the residents that had popped their knuckles were less likely to have osteoarthritis in their hands. The larger study done in Detroit included researchers examining the hands of 300 individuals over the age of 45. The results showed that the people who did pop their knuckles had a weaker grip and 84% had more swelling in their hands. They wondered if the reason for their cracking was due to pain they already had, and the cracking just relieved the pressure that was already present. After summing up the results, the question of it leading to osteoarthritis was no. Lastly, the most recent study asked not only if they