Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Knuckle Cracking Study Results:

The relation between habitual knuckle cracking and hand function was assessed among 300 patients aged 45 years and older, who had no evidence of nerve and muscle disease, inflammatory disorders, or malignant disease. Among the study group, there were 74 habitual knuckle crackers and 226 non-knuckle crackers. Although the prevalence of arthritis or inflammation of the joint was similar in both groups, hand swelling and lower grip strength were more prevalent in habitual knuckle crackers. Factors that were associated with habitual knuckle cracking included manual labor or work involving use of hands, nail-biting, smoking, and drinking alcohol. The results suggest that habitual knuckle cracking results in impaired hand function. (consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.).

1 comment:

  1. This study fails to establish whether people who have a propensity for such things as choosing to work using their hands/manual labour, drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, etc. also have a propensity for cracking their knuckles. Just because there is a higher than average corrolation to such behaviors, it by no means establishes a cause and effect. It may just be that people who have a genetic propensity for such behaviors also have a propensity of cracking their knuckles. More over, the tendency to crack knuckles may be the result of frequent use of one's hands as it may relieve joint pressure, etc.

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