DS cracking joints

[Anonymous]

DS is always cracking his knuckles, neck, back, elbows, and every other joint in his body. Is this normal? I tell him that it can cause arthritis but he doesn't believe me. Should I be worried?

[Anonymous]

My child does this, too, and I can't stand it! Yet, I know of no research that it's harmful. I thought the arthritis thing was a myth but maybe it's not?

[Anonymous]

It’s fine. It’s gas bubbles, it doesn’t cause arthritis.

[Anonymous]

No evidence of it causing arthritis. But over time it seems to have potential to cause damage to ligaments and tendons around knuckles in some aggressive knuckle crackers, and may be associated with things like reduced grip strength later in life.

[Anonymous]

As someone who has cracked my joints my entire life - my initial thought is that this is the sort of thing that falls squarely into your child’s bodily autonomy and it’s unreasonable to think that this is where you should be directing your energy as a parent. Even if you don’t like it or think that it’s good, it’s a waste of your time to worry about it.

[Anonymous]

Does not cause arthritis. https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/ask-a-doc-is-knuckle-cracking-bad.html

[Anonymous]

It’s just a really annoying habit. My kid does it too. Hate it.

[Anonymous]

My kid does this too.

[Anonymous]

My kids love to crack their joints and freak me out hearing it (I don't care about knuckles, but backs, knees, etc.). Just one of many things kids this age do to get a rise out of Mom and Dad.