Does Cracking Your Joints Cause Arthritis? | Expert Opinion by Dr. Sumesh Subramanian
Does Cracking Your Joints Cause Arthritis? It's one of the most common questions patients ask me: “Doctor, will cracking my knuckles give me arthritis?” The short answer? No. Cracking your joints does not cause arthritis. Myth: “Cracking joints causes arthritis.” Fact: Scientific studies show no direct link between habitual joint cracking and the development of arthritis. What Really Happens When You Crack a Joint? When you crack a joint, you're actually hearing the release of nitrogen gas bubbles in the synovial fluid. This is called cavitation — a pressure change inside the joint capsule that is completely harmless. No bones are grinding No cartilage is being damaged No “wear and tear” is caused Is There Any Risk at All? While joint cracking itself doesn’t cause arthritis, repetitive or aggressive cracking may: Cause ligament strain Lead to minor joint irritation Be annoying to others 😅 Then What Does Cause Arthritis? ...