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Can cracking your knuckles lead to arthritis in your fingers?
—Andrea Price, Grafton, Wisconsin
No. Studies have shown that the rate of arthritis in the hands of habitual knuckle crackers does not exceed that of those who do not crack their knuckles. One intrepid young doctor even popped the knuckles of his left hand at least twice a day for 50 years and only rarely popped the knuckles of his right hand as a study. He developed no arthritis in either hand. However—and this is an important point—cracking your knuckles is associated with decreased grip strength as you age. This affects everything from opening a jar to turning a doorknob and picking up a carton of milk.
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