Doctor Reveals What Actually Happens When You Crack Your Knuckles Too Much

If you're guilty of clicking your knuckles too much, you'll have likely been told by friends or family that it can cause health implications, such as arthritis.

But what's the truth? Can clicking your knuckles cause the painful condition?

Well, one doctor on TikTok - Dr Karl - has revealed what actually happens when you do it too much.

You can watch the video below:

And other TikTokers were intrigued by Dr Karl's advice, with many thanking him for setting the record straight.

One person wrote: "If I can’t open a jar of Vegemite, imma stop cracking the knuckles."

While another said: "If I can’t unscrew my Vegemite at 50 I’ll be pretty sad."

And a third commented: "Thank you for the clarification to those people who need it."

Meanwhile a fourth added: "Thank you so much for this information. I have argued against those who said cracking the knuckles could lead to arthritis for many years."

Others agreed, however, with a fifth writing: "Yes true, I have that problem opening jars."

While some people crack their knuckles by pulling each finger backwards, others pull them outwards, or make a fist and bend the fingers back all at once.

It's pretty common - between 25 and 54 per cent of people crack their knuckles and, according to research, it's more common in men.

The noise is created from the space in between the joints, which increases when pulled or bent. Additional synovial fluid - which lubricates your joints - fills the gap, and the gas bubbles in the fluid burst, creating a popping noise.

"When you pull your finger to crack your joint you make the joint space between the bones bigger and this sucks the ligaments in and makes a gas bubble pop into existence," explained Dr Karl.

Would this put you off cracking your knuckles?