Does Cracking Your Joints Cause Arthritis? | Expert Opinion by Dr. Sumesh Subramanian

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Does Cracking Your Joints Cause Arthritis?

Cracking knuckles illustration representing joint noise without arthritis risk

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.

Visual depiction of gas bubble release in joints during cavitation


  • 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?

Based on current medical evidence, these are the actual risk factors for arthritis:

  • Age-related degeneration of cartilage
  • Autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis
  • Previous joint injuries or trauma
  • Obesity and excessive joint load
  • Genetic predisposition

What the Research Says

Several clinical studies and reviews have addressed this topic:

  • Dr. Donald Unger conducted a 50-year self-experiment, cracking the knuckles of one hand daily and not the other. Result: No difference in arthritis between the hands[1].
  • A 2011 study in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine concluded: “Knuckle cracking does not appear to be a risk factor for hand osteoarthritis.”[2]
  • Health institutions like the Cleveland Clinic and Harvard Medical School affirm that joint popping due to cavitation is not harmful[3].

Final Advice from Dr. Sumesh Subramanian

As an Orthopaedic Surgeon in Chennai, I often reassure patients:

“If cracking your joints gives you temporary relief and causes no pain or instability, it's generally safe. But if it becomes habitual or is associated with discomfort, it’s best to get it checked.”

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References

  1. Unger DL. “Does knuckle cracking lead to arthritis of the fingers?” Arthritis & Rheumatism. 1998;41(5):949.
  2. Swezey RL, Swezey SE, Warner KK. “Effect of habitual knuckle cracking on hand function.” Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. 2011;24(2):169–174. [Link]
  3. Harvard Health Publishing. “The truth about knuckle cracking.” Available at: [Link]
    Cleveland Clinic. “Does Knuckle Cracking Cause Arthritis?” Available at: [Link]

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