Can you get arthritis by popping your fingers?

Don't believe all those old wives' tales you hear or read online. There is zero scientific evidence linking finger popping to arthritis. If you actually have pain or swelling in your joints, go see a doctor instead of worrying about knuckle cracking.

My orthopedic doctor explained that knuckle popping actually just releases nitrogen bubbles from the synovial fluid. Multiple studies have shown there is no link between popping fingers and developing arthritis. However, doing it too forcefully can occasionally strain your ligaments.

Oh, thank goodness! I used to get so anxious whenever my husband popped his knuckles, thinking his hands would get ruined by arthritis later. It is so reassuring to know it is just harmless gas, though the sound still makes me shiver!

As a nurse, I get asked this all the time. No, it doesn't cause arthritis. The popping sound is just gas shifting in the joint spaces. But if you do it excessively, you might end up with swollen hands or reduced grip strength over time.