Video: What actually happens when you crack your knuckles

There is an old wives tale that if you crack your knuckles often enough you will end up with really bad arthritis in your hands.

Well it turns out that this, like many other things your mum might have told you, is not in fact true.

But surely there has to be some side-effect of popping your knuckles?

To answer this age old question, this video shows just what exactly happens when you crack your knuckles.

Synovial fluid is sort of a liquid lubricant that is found in between your joints to help them move easily.

When you stretch your joints, gas is released and forms a bubble which then collapses and pops.

Whilst the video says that the act is 'probably' not bad for your, we don't recommend you start doing it too often.

How many of ye actually cracked your knuckles while watching the video?

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