Are there any harmful effects if you can crack your sternum like a knuckle?
338370
You are not actually cracking your sternum, but a joint between your sternum and your xyphoid process.  I don't see how it could feel good to crack that joint, but that is up to you.  If you have pain in your chest when you do it, stop doing it, but other than that, no harm done.
454635
I spoke to a Dr. recently about this and he gave me am article about it............NO it is not it is an old myth, about arthritis and knuckles getting larger, the cracking sound that is heard is only gasses in the joint and by cracking them it just releases the gas...and then when the gas refills the joint it can be popped again
958423
my son answered this:\n\nI do over 300 sit ups per day, box regularly and have abs like granite, however of course it still hurts, just not as much in solar plexus cos of top 2 abs protecting there.  hit in the ribs hurts like hell no matter how good u'r abs r!
468617
go to your doctor..\nand is this your sternum or the xyphoid process, at the tip, because if the xyphoid is broke, it could pierce your lungs or heart..so go to the doctor, get an x-ray
111682
ah!  such a great question.\n\nThe threats that your mother gave you (that cracking your knuckles will cause arthritis, will cause enlarged joints, will cause numbness) are all not true.  An article by Swezey and Swezey way back in 1975 disproved the knuckle-cracking-and-arthritis threat.\n\nHowever, it is not completely safe. First, there are case reports of acute injury to the hands and of knuckle pads associated with cracking, but these are only case reports.  The better studies show a couple of things:  The amount of force needed to crack a knuckle is greater than that needed to damage articular cartilage, and knuckle cracking HAS been associated with decreased grip strength when you get older.  \n\nSo, if you get arthritis, it's not because you cracked your knuckles.  If you can't grasp things very hard, it probably is.
1025281
if you crack your knuckles often enough, you can end up with swollen ligaments.\n\nA study looked at 300 people who had been cracking knuckle joints for 35 years. They had slightly swollen joints (which is no big deal). But the real surprise was that their hands were weaker - their grip strength was one quarter as strong as it should been!\n\nIt does NOT cause arthritis. In fact, it's not dangerous at all, said Dr. Jonathan Kay, clinical director of the rheumatology unit at Massachusetts General Hospital.\n"The cracking sound you hear when you pull on your fingers is caused by the release of negative pressure within the joint," he said. Inside every joint in the body, a gooey substance called synovial fluid coats the surfaces of cartilage to protect them. Just as two discs coated with mineral oil stick together and can only be pulled apart with a bit of force, so it is inside the joint. When you pull, you break the vacuum seal created by the synovial fluid and the breaking of that seal causes the popping sound -- from the bursting of bubbles of gases dissolved in the fluid.\nCuriously, it takes about 20 minutes for the seal to re-establish itself. So crack your knuckles all you want. You might stretch a few ligaments, but you will not give yourself arthritis. But it'll be no fun unless you wait 20 minutes between cracks.
865026
No, cracking your knuckles does not give you arthritis. Contrary to what your mom probably told you.\n\nIt is not entirely without effect, however. By stretching out the ligaments such you are loosening them. Clinical studies of "finger crackers" have shown weaker hand grips than of "non-crackers". If strength is those joints are not an issue to you then you can crack away happily; though I reccomend moderation in all things.
1065085
Nope... unless u do it 10 times a day.  then u should worry about carpal tunnel.
722535
Yes...I broke my Clavicle (a.k.a. the collar bone), which is also the most commonly broken bone in the human body.
1004312
it might...might enlarge your joints or may increase chances of joint diseases.  i've cracked my knuckles since i was a kid, i need to since i use my hands a so much. just don't overdo it. and don't believe that stupid myth that it causes arthiritis. that hasn't been proven.
1152686
I have an article from a major medical research that states that popping your nuckles simply releases air in them and dosn't cause big nuckles or arthritis in them either. It is just an old wives tale.
1092244
You may not get arthritis by "cracking your knuckes", but you are slowly precipitating damage to the joints by putting unnecessary pressure and stress on them.  Which further down the line, combined with hereditary factors, etc. may make you more susceptible to other joint problems such as arthritis as the joints age.
744078
There is such a thing as condyll-costeritis?!? Can't remember how they spelled it. My sister had it. It is an inflammation in the sternum, and it is, according to her, painful, and with radiating symptoms. I guess it could occur with anyone. But, if you are not satisfied with what the doctor has told you, go to another, until they can satisfactorily tell you what it is. Good Luck!!!!
474189
I broke my pinky finger a few years back.  My finger is crooked now, sort of like a bump on top.  Goes with breaking bones, I guess.
698774
It does hurt, Not as bad as smashing your finger with a hammer. But its painful the first few times. Ya know how you feel after working out, your muscles are stiff and sore to move? well, Its kinda like that, It hurts but, not too bad, And the blood part? Not very much. maybe a table spoon or 2.
238553
"Cracking" your joints won't hurt you.  According to some scientist, the "cracking" is a fluid sack in your joints popping, which releases a lubricant like substance that helps your joints move more smoothly.
720633
depends on how many bones in the wrist are damaged. The more that are, the more you need to have surgery, or you'll experience weakness, arthritis, an inflammation from bone chips rubbing on nerves, tendons, etc.