Knuckle cracking habit

[JaGWiRE]

For the last couple months I've been constantly cracking my knuckles for no reason. It's become a pretty bad habit, and I think this will probably affect me later in life.
Is there any tricks or aids or anything to help me stop doing this stupid foolish cracking thing?

[NickSimcheck]

Step 1, Tie a board to your arm.

Step 2, have someone tie your fingers to the board.

Step 3, learn how to drive and drink beer with your feet.

Problem solved.

[JaGWiRE]

Step 1, Tie a board to your arm.

Step 2, have someone tie your fingers to the board.

Step 3, learn how to drive and drink beer with your feet.

Problem solved.

How about typing and writing? LOL.
Maybe I'll stick with my arthritis creating habit.

[blam]

I've been cracking my knuckles for 10 years. no problems here =P

[sugarzebra]

Knowing that it greatly increases your likelihood of early onset osteoarthritis should be enough to make you stop!

[DiscoLizard]

Actually the link between knuckle-cracking and arthritis is a myth, according to an article I recently read... Still not good for you tho (you can accidentally stretch a ligament).

[bundybear]

the "cracking" noise you here is actually gas or air being forced out of the joint. A bit like if you cup your hands together tightly and sort of twist them opposite ways real quick.
If anyone here see's or knows a chiro, ask 'em to explain it you.

[sugarzebra]

Actually the link between knuckle-cracking and arthritis is a myth, according to an article I recently read... Still not good for you tho (you can accidentally stretch a ligament).

You are correct that a causal relationship between cracking knuckles and arthritis has not been established (largely because it hasnt been studied), however cracking your knuckles purposefully (and quickly) moves a joint beyond its normal range of motion overstretching the ligaments, tendons and joint capsule, which when done habitually introduces laxity to the joint which weakens it and causes the early onset of degenerative change (osteo arthritis).

[JaGWiRE]

Knowing that it greatly increases your likelihood of early onset osteoarthritis should be enough to make you stop!
Doc, don't you have some pills or something that can magically fix this habit?

[SirNobicus]

find some other body part to crack.
neck, shoulders, back, knees, toes.
find a different body part to crack each day
:-þ

[DiscoLizard]

You are correct that a causal relationship ... has not been established ... however cracking your knuckles purposefully... causes the early onset of degenerative change

Uhhh?

[DocFrankenstein]

Don't worry about it, it's normal and doesn't cause disease.

The gases do form, but after you release the joint the vapour condenses and dissolves the precipitated salts. So from disease/damage standpoint you're ok.

[sblais]

I've been doing this for quite some time, and now my knuckles do hurt from time to time (and I'm only 26... It'll be pretty when I get older!). One day, I decided I would stop. I admit that I still did it every once in a while out of habit, but I tried to notice when that happened (as after a while, you just don't notice yourself doing it anymore) and I wouldn't do it on purpose. As time went by, I finally stopped. I may have the occasional cracking when my knuckles really bother me, just to relieve them, but it's now very rare (once a month? even less?) and I think I may be seeing improvements (my knuckles tend to hurt less frequently).

For all the people who say it's not bad for you, I think you are wrong (personal opinion ;)). Like Scott said, you're stretching a joint past its normal range of motion.

[JaGWiRE]

I've been doing this for quite some time, and now my knuckles do hurt from time to time (and I'm only 26... It'll be pretty when I get older!). One day, I decided I would stop. I admit that I still did it every once in a while out of habit, but I tried to notice when that happened (as after a while, you just don't notice yourself doing it anymore) and I wouldn't do it on purpose. As time went by, I finally stopped. I may have the occasional cracking when my knuckles really bother me, just to relieve them, but it's now very rare (once a month? even less?) and I think I may be seeing improvements (my knuckles tend to hurt less frequently).

For all the people who say it's not bad for you, I think you are wrong (personal opinion ;)). Like Scott said, you're stretching a joint past its normal range of motion.
For me it's been about 1 1/2 months, so I guess I'm lucky.
I'm beginning to feel weird things in the knuckle areas though, sometimes also like they are wet or something.

[PhotosGuy]

1. Wear boxing gloves.
2. Finger splints.
3. Keep your hands in your pockets. Or in your shorts.
4. Wear boxing gloves & keep your hands in your pockets.
5. Yaddayadda...

[cylentka]

Slap yourself real hard on the face every time you crack a knuckle. And then fine yourself 20 bucks. After you quit the habit, use the fines to pay for plastic surgery on your face.

An alternative remedy is to drop a bowling ball on your groin every time you crack your knuckles, but for some reason this remedy is rarely used.