Dr. Yuri Serebryansky, a rheumatology specialist, warns against the harmful habit of joint cracking—a behavior that may carry serious consequences, including the potential need for surgical intervention.
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According to Dr. Natalia Stepanova, also a rheumatologist, joint popping can result from several causes. It may stem from gas bubbles within the joint or synovial fluid, or from the movement and snapping back of ligaments and tendons during motion. As cartilage wears down with age, cracking tends to become more frequent, potentially signaling the onset of osteoarthritis or other joint-related conditions.
Dr. Serebryansky emphasizes that cracking your knuckles is a harmful habit that negatively impacts joint health.
He explains that the repetitive popping of joints delivers frequent micro-trauma to the cartilage and can damage the ligamentous apparatus. Contrary to popular belief, this habit offers no benefits and does not improve joint function.
The ability to crack one’s knuckles is often linked to joint hypermobility and the state of the cartilage. Many people engage in this behavior in an attempt to “enhance” joint mobility. However, Dr. Serebryansky cautions that such efforts are misguided, as individuals who regularly crack their joints may become more susceptible to conditions like arthritis, gout, and other joint disorders.
MRI scans in some cases have revealed noticeable changes and damage in joint structures—damage that, over time, may require surgical correction.
