Cracking Up?

[FUNKMAN]

HordeKing,

Wanted to ask you about "cracking joints" or bones in your body such as knuckles...

my 9 year old daughter has been consistently cracking not only her knuckles, but wrists, ankles, and neck...it's a bit scary
should I have any concern?

side question - no matter how hard I try I cannot crack my knuckles...it doesn't bother me but thought it unusual...no matter how hard I've tried to press I still cannot get them to crack, even when I have other people who crack their knuckles try to. What would be preventing it?

As always, THANKS for your time and info...


PS: anyone else who reads this and has something to add or do their own share of "cracking", please chime in

FUNKMAN

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This message was edited by FUNKMAN on 4-11-02 @ 7:33 PM

[chefpitt]

I did a little reserch and this is what I came up with...
You concerend me since I have been cracking my Knuckles for years...

The bones of movable joints - like the finger joints - are covered with smooth cartilage and are lubricated by a thick fluid called synovial fluid produced between the bones in membranous sacs known as bursae. Most knuckle "cracking" is from the synovial fluid in the joint pooling and then some turbulence created by the movement. This is much like when one "pops" his tongue against the roof of the mouth. The consequences of "cracking" is most likely nothing BUT it could possibly cause early arthritis. (Fred Corley, M.D., Department of Orthopaedics, UTHSCSA)

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[HordeKing1]

Current thought is that cracking knuckles, etc, will NOT do any harm.

As noted by CHEFPITT, finger joints are comprised of two bones covered in cartilage and held together by ligaments. The synovial fluid lubricates the spaces between the bones. This fluid contains gas (carbon dioxide and nitrogen).

When you crack your joints, the bones on either side of the joint space separate, reducing pressure on the synovial fluid. This allows the gas to form bubbles that quickly expand and pop, causing the characteristic "popping" sound you hear.


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[FUNKMAN]

This allows the gas to form bubbles that quickly expand and pop, causing the characteristic "popping" sound you hear.





Thanks Again! I actually thought the popping sound was the bones of each joint rubbing together, like with the snapping of fingers...
relieves my mind...
:)

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This message was edited by FUNKMAN on 4-12-02 @ 2:29 PM

[Lulu]

side question - no matter how hard I try I cannot crack my knuckles...it doesn't bother me but thought it unusual...no matter how hard I've tried to press I still cannot get them to crack, even when I have other people who crack their knuckles try to. What would be preventing it?
that happens to me too sometimes. but try not pressing down. i always seem to crack my knuckles if i press up, but hardly ever pressing down.

[HordeKing1]

Don't worry about it. Not everyone can crack their joints. However, you may want to consider loosening up (by stretching or other exercise) to give yourself more flexibility. If a joint isn't flexible or is rigid w/spasms, it won't crack.

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