What Happens Guide

Posts Tagged ‘body’

What happens when you crack your knuckles? Will it give you a permanent setback that will leave you scarred for life? Or will problems with cracking knuckles merely give you a temporary dilemma that you can actually handle with some helpful measures? What do you really think goes on when you do this?

To explain what happens when you crack your knuckles, we may have to first check out what goes on inside with our bones before checking whatever problems this habit may cause.

What Happens Inside

In cracking knuckles, joints of the bones are usually pushed beyond its actual position.

Cracking knuckles actually produces a reaction with one of your body fluids, referred to as the synovial fluid in the joints. Bones are actually pulled apart when you crack knuckles, and this clear and thick synovial fluid between the bones reduces pressure.

Bubbles would usually form in the fluid as bones are pulled apart before your knuckles snap or pop. These bubbles expand in a matter of seconds, and burst – causing your knuckles to have that popping sound.

Why You Can’t Crack Knuckles Again after Doing So

There is actually a process referring to the expansion of the bubbles in the clear fluid that acts as a helpful lubricant for the bones as you crack your knuckles. It’s simply called “cavitation.” Cracking knuckles causes this process to take place.

After cracking knuckles, you may notice that you are unable to crack your knuckles and make this act produce a popping sensation once again. There is actually an interesting explanation to this. You are unable to crack and pop your knuckles after your first successful attempt because it may take around twenty five (25) to thirty (30) minutes for the gas or the bubbles in the fluid to dissolve. For that span of time, you won’t be able to crack your knuckles again.

But there is no need to worry. You may just have to wait for the time to pass, and check if you can once again successfully make your joints snap and pop. Usually, after those few minutes, the process of cavitation (or the act of cracking your knuckles) can be done again.

What Possible Problems May be Encountered

So what are the problems you have to face in the long run if you like to crack your knuckles? Well, if you crack your knuckles occasionally, reports have shown that there is actually no reason to worry. Occasional knuckle-crackers do not typically have long-term problems to deal with. However, there may be minor problems that may occur for these habitual knuckle-crackers – a loss of strength when you grip and damage in your soft tissues. Nevertheless, there are certain studies that have shown that the act of cracking knuckles actually give you a few advantages – better mobility and a lose feeling in your joints.

With all these things, you are now (at least) in a better state of mind to know what happens when you crack your knuckles. Sure, it may be someone else’s worst pet peeve, but if you like to do it occasionally, that’s fine. Just be sure not to overdo it if you still want to retain the strength of your grip and prevent damage in your soft tissues that support your joints.