The Joint-Cracking Myth
There’s been long-standing debate about the habit of joint-cracking, with some believing it leads to arthritis. However, this concern is largely unfounded. Joints are surrounded by a capsule filled with synovial fluid, which nourishes and lubricates them. The cracking sound you hear when stretching or bending a joint is caused by a harmless process: gases dissolved in the synovial fluid form bubbles, which collapse when the joint is moved, creating the familiar "crack." In some cases, though, the sound may also come from a tendon or ligament snapping over a bone.
But is joint-cracking a harmless habit, or does it contribute to arthritis? Extensive research, including studies published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatology, has shown that joint-cracking does not increase the risk of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, one study involving 215 people aged 45-89 found no increased signs of arthritis among those who cracked their joints regularly. Another long-term study following 300 people for 50 years also found no difference in arthritis rates between those who cracked their joints and those who did not.