[net.med] Knuckle Cracking

rodean@hpfclo.UUCP (rodean) (08/10/84)

I have read that tendonitis is possible although very rare. It seems
that most of the problem is its effect on other people's nerves.

Bruce Rodean
{ihnp4|hplabs}!hpfcla!rodean

nd2k@homxa.UUCP (A.SCHWARZ) (08/16/84)

                          Could anyone out there tell me if there
          are any medical consequences resulting from cracking
          one's knuckles? I have a friend who does this all the
          time. Thought I heard somewhere that it causes fluid
          build-up of some sort but he says that's an old wives
          tale.

merrill@gigi.DEC (Rick GIGI::Merrill DECRITE) (08/21/84)

Kids whose bones are still growing can experience some tiny extra growth
and possible arthritis-like symptoms from EXCESSIVE knuckle popping.  

If they just want to do it to bug the girls/teachers then show them how
to put one hand over the other and pop the third knuckle of the hiddel
(hidden) hand into the palm of the top hand: makes a satisfying "pop"
and is not AS hazardous to growning joints.

In fact with a little practice you can get four successive pops from 
all four (hidden) fingers!

mrp@inmet.UUCP (08/22/84)

#R:homxa:-35000:inmet:11200008:000:412
inmet!mrp    Aug 20 17:10:00 1984

I think the only medical consequence of knuckle-cracking is   
a state of extreme mental agitation on the part of innocent
by-standers.  The effect has been classified as a sub-head 
under "Nails on the Blackboard Syndrome." 

As for your friend, if s/he wants to re-arrange their
synovial fluids, you'd think they could do it in the
privacy of their own home.



Robin Camardo
Intermetics, Inc.
Cambridge, MA