FitSugar

DrSugar Answers: Creaky Joints?

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:00:01 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! And she's answering your health-related questions.

Hi! I had a question for DrSugar. I am wondering why my joints - knees and hips - are so squeaky and creaky. I don't feel any pain but I am curious if this might indicate potential problems later on? When I roll my shoulders, I feel like all of the little bones are rolling noisily together. I notice the creakiness in my hips and knees mostly when I'm stretching or doing yoga. Should I be concerned or do something to address this? Thanks!
-Concerned About Creaking

Well, as a 31-year-old former competitive gymnast, I can definitely relate to your symptoms, as I’ve been having them for quite some time in my hips, knees, and ankles. The snapping, the creaking, the popping and crunching sounds are ones I am quite familiar with! However, just like you, I don’t feel any pain or discomfort associated with my musical joints. I must admit, I had a great time doing more in-depth research on this topic because I too was wondering if I should be concerned or take proactive measures to address these issues. To learn more about the causes of creaky, squeaky joints, keep reading!

You Asked: Does Cracking Your Knuckles Cause Joint Damage?

FitSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:00:00 PDT

Dear Fit,
I have to admit that I love cracking my knuckles, but my gramma always says that I'm ruining my joints and I'll get arthritis when I'm older. Is she right?
-Cracky Kathy

This is a great question and you are not alone in the love of cracking your knuckles. In order to answer your question, let me explain what's happening when your joints crack. A joint is an area where two or more bones meet. This area is surrounded by joint fluid that protects the bones from rubbing against each other. The gas nitrogen is dissolved in your joint fluid. When you crack or pop your knuckles, you're releasing pressure, which makes the gas come out and form a bubble. Don't worry - the sound is not your bones grinding together. That release of pressure allows a temporary increase in the joint's range of motion, which is why it feels so good. The reason you can't recrack your knuckles immediately after is because it takes a little time for the gas to get redissolved back into the joint fluid.

So is it bad for your joints? To find out

read more. It is sweet of your gramma to be concerned about your joints, but let me assure you that there is no evidence that cracking your joints causes arthritis or any other permanent damage - it just offers relief. The only thing you need to be careful of is if cracking your knuckles causes pain. Actually, those who like to crack their knuckles, back, neck, and knees tend to have healthier joints. No it's not the knuckle cracking that's preventing arthritis, it's the fact that they tend to be more active people. As the old saying goes "move it or lose it." So the next time you crack your knuckles and your gram says "Stop! You're going to get arthritis!" just smile and politely explain that you're releasing the pressure of your joint fluid.

Does Cracking Your Knuckles Cause Arthritis?

FitSugar — Tue, 22 May 2007 04:00:00 PDT

In order to answer this question, we first need to talk about arthritis. It's the name for a group of conditions where there is damage caused to the joints. Here are some examples:

Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis are autoimmune diseases in which the body is attacking itself.
Septic arthritis is caused by joint infection.
Gouty arthritis is caused when uric acid crystals get deposited in the joints, which causes inflammation.
The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis (also known as degenerative joint disease), occurs after an injury or infection in the joint, or simply as a result of aging.

Hmm, I see that of these 4 examples, none of them are caused by popping your joints.

Now let's talk about knuckle cracking. A joint is an area where 2 or more bones meet. This area is surrounded by joint fluid that protects the bones from rubbing against each other. When you "crack" or "pop" your knuckles or other joints, you are NOT grinding your bones together. Carbon dioxide is dissolved in that joint fluid. The sound you hear is a result of the high pressure being released, when the gas comes out and forms a bubble. That release of pressure allows a temporary increase in the joint's range of motion, which is why it feels so good. The reason you can't re-crack your knuckles immediately after is because it takes a little time for the gas to get re-dissolved back into the joint fluid.

There is no evidence that cracking your joints causes arthritis, or any other permanent damage - it just offers relief.

So the next time you crack your knuckles and someone says "Stop! You're going to get arthritis!," just smile and politely explain that you're just releasing the pressure of your joint fluid.

Source

The Skinny on: Cracking Your Knuckles

FitSugar — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 04:00:00 PST

When someone tells you that cracking your knuckles will lead to arthritis, they're wrong.

What exactly makes that "popping" sound? When you crack your knuckles, or back, or whatever, you are pushing the joint into or out of its normal position. Joints are the meeting points of 2 separate bones. A thick liquid called synovial fluid is found between the bones. When you stretch, twist, push, or pull those bones apart, the pressure is reduced on that fluid, and bubbles form and quickly burst - making that familiar "pop."

Research from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine shows that people who crack their back, neck, knuckles or knees generally have healthier joints than those who don't. Well, actually, people who tend to pop their joints are more likely to be more physically active than non-crackers.

So go ahead and crack away. It may be annoying to others, but at least it's not hurting you.

Do You Crack Your Knuckles?

FitSugar — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 03:47:13 PST

Scientific research assures us that a steady habit of cracking your knuckles won't lead to arthritis or permanent joint damage. Well that's good news, because I occasionally love to snap, crack, and pop the joints in my fingers, and my hubby won't play the guitar till he's cracked all his knuckles. What about you?

Knuckle Cracking Is A-OK

FitSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 03:00:48 PDT

I have written about knuckle cracking in the past, exposing the notion that doing so causes arthritis for what it is a health myth - one that is perpetuated by grandmothers all over the US. One doctor took his research on the subject quite personally.

For 60 years Dr. Donald Unger cracked the knuckles of his left hand repeatedly, but used his right hand as the "control group" and left them well alone. After 60 years of cracking, his left hand did not develop arthritis. For his decades long research, Unger was awarded an Ig Noble award, a lighthearted version of the Nobel prizes, which were announced this week. The Ig Noble Prizes "honor achievements that first make people laugh, and then make them think. The prizes are intended to celebrate the unusual, honor the imaginative - and spur people's interest in science, medicine, and technology."

Scientific bottom line on your knuckles: keep on cracking.

The Complete Guide to Body Language

LearnVest — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 03:16:43 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

Studies show that people size you up within two seconds.

Consciously or unconsciously, they'll take in how you establish eye contact, the strength of your handshake and the way you hold yourself. Even when you're talking to someone you know, your message consists of more than just the words you say: It also includes the visual and vocal cues you send.

Whether you're reviewing your salary with your boss or negotiating with the cable guy, it's important to be aware of your body language, so you accomplish your aims instead of unconsciously turning people off or giving them the impression that you're a pushover.

These body language tips will help you appear more confident and professional. Read the suggestions below to start making a better impression . . . instantly.

Head: People will take you more seriously if you stand tall, which conveys confidence and status. You don't need to be physically long and lean, but take care to stand erect and keep your shoulders back. It will make you seem taller and more sure of yourself.

Eyes: When talking to someone, make eye contact in order to establish your trustworthiness, sincerity and confidence - but only hold their gaze directly for a few seconds at a time, which is as long as is comfortable for most people. The only exception? When you enter a room and want to make an impression. In that case, hold each onlooker's gaze for a beat longer than is comfortable, then look away. This move conveys that you're confident and interested in meeting others. When you're speaking to a group of people, switch your gaze from one person to another every so often.

Read on for more body language tips.