Cracking knuckles

[Chris]

Is it bad to crack my knuckles? When ever i finish warming up, my
fingers feel really stiff until i crack them, then they're good to go
the rest of my practice. The last few days as i have been practicing
more than i used to, i have started to crack my left wrist as well. Am
or killing my hands or is it no big deal? And i if am what do i do when
i get the feeling that i need to crack them. Thanks for the help

[LarryV]

See the following, two different views:

http://tinyurl.com/dzmop

http://www.rps.psu.edu/probing/knuckles.html

[Henry Moon]

I crack mine all the time with no adverse effects as of yet.

I used to do martial arts. i was always careful with my left hand. (my
fretting hand).
But I busted the crap out of my right hand knuckles many times, The
knuckles on my RH are even shaped different, sort of round or flat now.
That doesn't bother me or hurt me at all for some reason.
Now my back-----I got that broke one time on a bucking horse -----and
it hurts ANYTIMEand EVERYTIME I strap on my guitar on a gig for over
an hour. Hurts like sin.

It must be an individual thing I guess.
Henry

Listen to my tunes on Soundclic and see if quarters, maybe dollars,
pour out of your computer. If not, contact your clergyman or mayor
immediately.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=150576

[Jack Wagner]

I asked my doctor about this as I crack my left wrist and elbow all the
time.

She told me that it can lead to arthritis and I shouldn't be doing it.
She then suggested I wear a wrist brace whenever possible to stop me
from doing it.

I did get a couple wrist braces that I use at work and they actually
help quite a bit as they keep my wrists in the proper position and stop
me from getting lazy. Plus I can't crack my wrist when they're on.

That said, I've read lots of differing viewpoints on the subject so who
really knows. Either way I like the braces so I continue to wear them
when I work on the computer.