markp (01/21/83)
Some years ago I picked up the annoying habit of cracking my knuckles. Only now am I finally able to quit doing it, and I'm wondering if anyone out there can speak with authority on some questions I have -- What exactly is the mechanism by which knuckles will "crack" or "pop" when bent or pulled? What damage and/or deterioration may be expected as a result of extended periods of frequent deliberate cracking of the knuckles? Can knuckle-cracking be a self-perpetuating habit in that it sets up conditions in the joints which cause them to stiffen unless cracked occasionally? Are there many people who have this habit? Can anyone speak of ill effects (or the lack thereof) as a result of long, personal experience? What about the normal-motion-induced cracking of other joints? Mark R. Paulin ...decvax!teklabs!tekmdp!markp
dfh (01/24/83)
Speaking of cracking joints, my ankle joints crack *every* time I walk up a flight of stairs, and have done so as long as I can remember (I'm 24). I sometimes sound like a walking bowl of rice krispies... I remember my pediatrician dismissed this as a 'growing' related phenomena. When I'm 50 I suppose my ankles will be in terrible shape. Are there any other folks with this problem ?
leichter (01/26/83)
The last article I saw on the subject (not that long ago and in some medical journal) stated that the actual mechanism in knuckle (or other joint) cracking was still unknown. The prevailing "best guess" was that it was caused by bubbles somehow getting introduced into the synovial fluid - in which the joints are bathed - and then bursting. I guess in this picture the feeling of relief you sometimes get when cracking, say, your back when it's stiff is the result of a bubble finally bursting and relieving a pressure build-up within the joint. -- Jerry decvax!yale-comix!leichter (oops, one tab too many...)