Is Cracking Knuckles Bad for You?

For many people, cracking stiff joints can help relieve tension and discomfort. But is that loud popping sound harmless, or does it mean potential joint damage?

“Cracking your knuckles isn’t bad for you,” says Columbia rheumatologist Nancyanne Schmidt, MD, “but there are certain joints to be more cautious with.”

Dr. Schmidt explains what happens when our joints crack and how to ease stiffness safely.

What causes joints to crack?

Joints are surrounded by a capsule filled with fluid that cushions the bones and helps them move smoothly. This fluid, known as synovial fluid, contains gasses like nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide.

When we forcefully bend a joint, those gasses are released from the fluid as gas bubbles, which create a cracking or popping sound.

Can cracking your knuckles cause arthritis?

No, cracking joints doesn’t cause osteoarthritis or other kinds of joint damage. It can actually be a way to relieve tension and stiffness.

There are a few reports of people who developed tendon injuries from cracking their knuckles, but those were caused by forcing their fingers into a certain position, not from the cracking itself.

Is there a “right way” to crack joints?

In general, don’t be too forceful when making sudden motions.

Be especially cautious when trying to crack your neck. Many important blood vessels pass through the neck to reach the brain, and rapid or forceful neck movements could tear some of those vessels, which could lead to a stroke.

What’s the bottom line about cracking joints?

The popping noise may sound scary, but joint cracking is a normal phenomenon.

You should seek medical attention if you experience joint pain, swelling, or stiffness that won’t go away, but in general, there’s nothing inherently dangerous about cracking joints.

Nancyanne Schmidt, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and the associate director of the Rheumatology Fellowship.