Health. Is it dangerous to crack your knuckles?

The sound of our joints cracking is the subject of many fantasies and other preconceived ideas. Apparently, this gesture could promote the onset of osteoarthritis, for example... " False ," retorts, in substance and on the basis of scientific studies, Branden Daubel, physiotherapist at the Musculoskeletal Institute of the University of Texas at Austin (United States).

" Cracking your own knuckles is safe. You'll never displace bones, tendons, or any other structure ," he assures. And this applies to any joint involved: fingers, wrist, or even neck!

Bubbles bursting...

The famous noise comes from the synovial fluid, which lines and lubricates our joints, in order to reduce friction between our bones and thus preserve the cartilage. The movement we make to make this cracking sound will in some way cause a change in pressure within this joint, to the point of causing the bursting of micro-bubbles formed within the synovial fluid, which is rather viscous.

And if, according to Branden Daubel, we get a form of satisfaction from it, this can be explained by " the force produced by these bubbles can activate the sensory receptors of the joint. They send information to the brain, on the position of your joint in space, and your brain injects you with a small dose of dopamine, because it loves the information "!

What if it was stress…

This is, in fact, the one and only – relative – benefit brought to our body by this cracking. As the American physiotherapist points out, " nothing really changes in the body afterward ." However, he warns people who tend to constantly repeat this gesture, " in order to relieve chronic stiffness or tension ."

In his eyes, this is a sign of "underlying stress " that should be reduced through breathing techniques or other meditation.

Sources: University of Texas (Austin) website: https://uthealthaustin.org/ . Accessed June 13, 2025.