
Is it true that … cracking your knuckles causes arthritis?
'The knuckle joint is a very tight space and there's a little bit of fluid in it. When people crack their knuckles, they very temporarily enlarge the space,' says Hyrich. 'The pressure drops and gas that's dissolved in that fluid forms bubbles – and it's the bursting of those bubbles that causes the sound.'
The type of arthritis people tend to worry about is osteoarthritis – the most common form. It's a painful condition that causes swelling and stiffness in the joints, and becomes more common as we age. 'We don't fully understand the cause,' Hyrich says, 'but genetics play a large role. Joint trauma is also a risk factor.'
It's probably this association with injury that fuels concerns about knuckle-cracking. 'People are likely worried they're damaging the joint,' she says.
But is there any actual harm? According to Hyrich, the evidence says no. 'Researchers have looked at people with and without arthritis and asked whether they cracked their knuckles – there's been no difference. Others have compared people who do and don't crack their knuckles using X-rays – again, no difference.'
Perhaps the most famous example is a US physician who, in an effort to prove his mother wrong, cracked the knuckles on just one hand every day for over 60 years. When he finally had both hands assessed, there were no signs of arthritis in either.
So what kinds of trauma do increase your risk of osteoarthritis? 'Sporting injuries,' Hyrich says, 'such as breaking a bone near your joint, or tearing ligaments.' People who already have another kind of arthritis, such as the autoimmune condition rheumatoid arthritis, are also more prone to osteoarthritis.
Her best advice for avoiding it? 'Maintain a healthy lifestyle, stay active, and keep to a healthy weight.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
21 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Only Connect viewers fume 'standards are slipping!' as they call out question blunder just minutes into BBC quiz - but can YOU spot it?
Only Connect viewers fumed 'standards are slipping!' after calling out a question blunder just minutes into the BBC quiz. The game show, presented by Victoria Coren-Mitchell, 52, sees two teams of quizzing enthusiasts face off to answer tricksy brain teasers and logical puzzles. Asking contestants to find connections between seemingly obscurely related clues, the BBC Two programme has a particularly cerebral reputation. But even the cleverest of quiz shows does not always get things right - as fans saw when the first episode of the new series aired on Monday evening. Eagle-eyed viewers spotted the answer Victoria said was the correct response to one of the first questions of the episode actually appeared to be wrong. The host asked one of the teams: 'What is the connection between these apparently random picture clues?' The game show, presented by Victoria Coren-Mitchell (pictured), 52, sees two teams of quizzing enthusiasts face off to answer tricksy brain teasers and logical puzzles But even the cleverest of quiz shows does not always get things right - as fans saw when the first episode of the new series (pictured) aired on Monday evening A picture of British snooker player Ronnie O'Sullivan, also known as The Rocket, appeared on screen. This was swiftly followed by an image of Marvel comic book character Rocket Raccoon. The players were quick to spot the connection between the two was 'rocket', with Victoria soon confirming they were correct. She revealed the last two images they would have been shown to help them to get to the answer. These were a sketch of the early steam train Stephenson's Rocket, built nearly 200 years ago, and a photo of some rocket salad leaves. But viewers at home were adamant the sketch did not show Stephenson's Rocket - but rather another steam locomotive. One suggested it could be Puffing Billy - the oldest train of its kind, constructed by a colliery in 1814 near Newcastle-upon-Tyne for hauling coal. Meanwhile, another was determined it was Locomotion No 1, a different early steam train built by the same engineers as Stephenson's Rocket. While Robert Stephenson and Company - also Newcastle-based - built the Rocket in 1829, Locomotion No 1 was built four years prior, in 1825. One fan raged on X: 'First mistake on the new series of BBC Only Connect. 'This is Locomotion not Stephenson's Rocket.' Another replied to their comment on the social media platform, 'And on the very first question too!', while someone else weighed in: 'Standards are slipping.' One user was determined the correct image would have thrown them off had they been playing on the show themselves. 'Came here to the Only Connect trending comments to see this! I got the answer in two but if I'd needed a third, this would have thrown me.' Someone else said: 'Probably says more about me than anything else but the picture of Stephenson's Rocket in round one tonight wasn't Stephenson's Rocket. 'It was Puffing Billy. I shall now go back to looking for my life down the back of the sofa.' Meanwhile, another was determined it was Locomotion No 1, a different early steam train built by the same engineers as Stephenson's Rocket But fans were even disagreeing among themselves, in the comments section of this user's post. One corrected them saying, 'Locomotion No 1', while another threw their weight behind this too: 'It wasn't Puffing Billy either, it was Locomotion.' Only Connect, led by the dry, sarcastic Victoria, has become a firm fan favourite since it began airing in 2008. It is part of a mega brainy quiz schedule on BBC Two on Monday evenings, sandwiched between Mastermind and University Challenge. But Only Connect seems to be a cut above the rest as it is consistently BBC Two's most watched title of the week. Elsewhere on the channel's Monday night schedule, during Mastermind, viewers were also left shocked by a sense of deja vu around one of the contestants. The latest episode of the programme saw presenter Clive Myrie, 60, return to our screens to grill four new players. One contestant, Dennis Wang, took to the famous hot seat to answer his specialist subject questions about the Men's Euros between 2000 to 2004. One contestant, Dennis Wang (pictured), took to the famous hot seat to answer his specialist subject questions about the Men's Euros between 2000 to 2004 He managed to bag himself an impressive 12 correct questions. But his Mastermind debut did not mark the first time he has appeared on our screens. Dennis took part in Jeopardy UK! last year and managed to win his episode. He was also once the team captain for the so-called Crunchers team on Only Connect. Not only that, he was part of the University of Oxford's Worcester College team while appearing on University Challenge in 2016. Many recognised the player and flocked to X to share their frustrations. 'Don't think it's fair to have the same guy just competing on all the big quiz shows really? Seems a bit unfair #Mastermind.'; 'Mr Wang from #OnlyConnect ? #quizzymonday #Mastermind.'; 'Do they have a pool of people who are on every quiz show? You get the same people on this, Only Connect, University Challenge etc. #Mastermind.'


The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Waitrose issues ‘do not eat' warning for popular ready meal which poses allergy risk
Waitrose is recalling a popular ready meal after it said some products were 'mispacked', causing an allergy risk. The supermarket own-brand 'Indian takeaway for two' has been pulled from shelves because it contains sesame and soya, which are not mentioned on the label. According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), which published the recall warning, the product is a health risk to anyone with an allergy to sesame or soya because spring rolls were mispacked in the box. All of the takeaway products sold in 1,412g boxes with the sell-by date 25 July 2025 are affected. No other products are affected by the recall. Those with an allergy to sesame or soya have been told not to eat the product and instead return it to their local Waitrose and Partners branch for a full refund. The FSA explained: 'Sometimes foods have to be withdrawn or recalled if there is a risk to consumers because the allergy labelling is missing or incorrect or if there is any other food allergy risk. When there is a food allergy risk, the FSA will issue an allergy alert.' A point-of-sale notice has also been issued to its customers. These notices explain why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product. Soya is a food ingredient made from soy beans and is used to make soy sauce and tofu. Those with an allergy to soya can suffer an immediate reaction or a delayed reaction, according to Anaphylaxis UK. Symptoms of an immediate reaction include a rash, tingling or itching in the mouth, and swelling of the lips, eyes or face. It can also cause stomach pain and vomiting. Those who suffer from a delayed allergic reaction may experience stomach pain, diarrhoea and vomiting. Sesame seeds and sesame oil can cause allergic reactions, and these can sometimes be serious, Anaphylaxis UK said. In many cases, those who are allergic to sesame can experience a rash, known as hives, anywhere on the body. It can also trigger tingling or an itchy feeling in the mouth, swelling of the lips, face or eyes, and stomach pain and vomiting. In more serious cases, it can cause anaphylaxis, triggering swelling of the throat and breathing difficulties. Waitrose said in the recall: 'We apologise it has been necessary to recall this product and for the inconvenience caused.'


The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Sali Hughes on beauty: if your teen won't wear sunscreen, try tempting them with these products
Since Covid, anti-science conspiracy theories have been circulated ever more widely on social media. The most worrying to dermatologists is a growing movement against sunscreen, the best and most evidenced precaution (beyond covering up with clothing or staying indoors) that we can take against skin cancers, including melanoma. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. The conspiracy theorists claim that sunscreen causes cancer, rather than preventing it. Although there is no robust evidence to support this (and there is a mountain of clinical data showing the opposite), kids are inevitably most susceptible to the propaganda. Teen beauty brand Indu recently conducted a survey which found that 60% of teenage girls say they've been sunburnt on their face, but only 27% wear sunscreen daily. Teenage boys (including my own) are even less likely to wear SPF. So, while there's little we can do about the proliferation of online quackery, and the onus should be on social media platforms like TikTok, we can encourage our children to incorporate sunscreen into their daily routines. A non-greasy, quickly absorbed, makeup-friendly, high-protection SPF will help. Indu's own Everyday Hero SPF50 (£25) fits the bill. A lightweight synthetic sunscreen with a smooth, hydrated finish, it comes in a practical, backpack-friendly tube that should appeal to any gender. Bubble skincare is designed and marketed at teens and tweens, but I like its Solar Mate Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF30 (£19) myself. This is a physical sunscreen, using zinc (my own preference over titanium), that goes on almost clear and has a matt, but not chalky, finish. It will appease young people who have been (wrongly) convinced that mineral SPF is somehow superior to synthetics. It now comes in an additional tinted version (£19) that can easily substitute for light, school-friendly makeup. The unaffordability of sunscreens is a hot topic in beauty. There's no doubt that prohibitive VAT-liable SPF prices will negatively impact health for people on lower incomes. I admire the dermatologist-founded brand Altruist enormously for its mission to democratise UV protection. Its Oily Skin Cream SPF50 (£9.50) is terrific for teen skin. It combines mineral and synthetic ingredients, and has a dry-to-the-touch finish that sits nicely under makeup. At just shy of a tenner, it's a comparatively inexpensive way to slot an essential healthcare product into a child's routine. Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion Model: Scout Waddington. Photography assistant: Declan Slattery. Hair and makeup: Sarah Cherry