Whats that cracking sound...?

[Alucard]

When I'm warming up etc, I usually crack my bones such as what people do when they crack their knuckles. Whats the cause of the sound and is it true that it can lead to arthritis etc...?

[1212jtraceur]

the cause of the sound is gas escaping from the joints, and yes, i am pretty sure i can cause arthritis. gotta stop cracking my joints...

jtraceur

[Gazork0]

Apparently, as my Scottish aunt (Who is a midwife) says, you will not get arthritis from cracking your knuckles. Either way I can't see myself stopping anytime soon, it's like I'm addicted

[ConfuciousDragon]

you can not get arthritis from cracking bones... it simply means that you are a candidate for arthritis. Basically, if your bones don't crack... you won't get arthritis... if they do... then there is a chance they will.

[Salathe]

The cracking noises can actually be created by a number of ways, one of which is gases within the joint. Usually the gases (CO2) are dissolved in a fluid around the joints (lubrication) but when the joint moved in such a way that it creates a low-pressure area in the fluid then the gas can no longer remain dissolved, creating a bubble. The bubble cannot exist for very long and quickly implodes into itself and the fluid rushing to fill the void makes the pop or crack. Most of the time a little part of the bigger bubble remains after the implosion and any further pulling of the joint just changes the pressure within the bubble (gases are easier to change pressure than liquids) kind of like a mini baloon. This is why you often can't re-pop the joint immediately.

As far as I know, the strict medical jury is still out on the long term effects of this. But genetics is probably more of a concern (if your family is prone to arthiritis or other bone problems) than this.

Another cause of cracking can simply be the movement of ligaments over uneven bone surfaces... which is often the case with back cracking.

I'm no doctor so I dont know the effects (or benefits) of cracking joints... but I often crack joints both intentionally (knuckles, toes) and accidentally (elbows, knees, back) without any problems thus far and intend to keep allowing my joints to crack because I feel better afterwards.

[broken]

you CANNOT get arthritis from cracking your joints...it is just the gas escaping....

[tom12345]

is it guud if i take cod liver oil tabblets for my cracking bones

[touch]

it depend wat u mean by cracking (i pressume that cant be good) but if u mean popping i.e like u hear bruce lee do wen he warms up (not now hes dead) the popping is just gas the cracking aint got a clue see the doc

[Rui]

Yea if you hear popping noise then thats more likely that you are popping the gas in your joints but if you hear cracks like you hear on a branch snapping then i insist thats more then likely a bone snapping in half, like touch said if you are worried consult a doctor.

[touch]

this noise also can be not enough fluid between bone not sure technical name but its like oil for ur bones and not enough can cause ur bones to rub or grind. not good after long time , i know i grind my teeth .

[Rui]

Sounds like you gonna lose some teeth doing that.

[touch]

well i need to get a teeth bit its like a plate that sits on ur bottom teeth so u dont do any damage from grinding , i only do it wen i sleep