Why do your knuckles pop? - Eleanor Nelsen

Some people love the feeling of cracking their knuckles, while others cringe at the sound. But what causes that trademark pop? And is it dangerous? Eleanor Nelsen gives the facts behind joint popping.

Lesson by Eleanor Nelsen, animation by Steve Belfer Creative.

[allmightygod]

They pop so that you can look badass before a fight

[zahraabduladhim]

Damn... the scientist at the end was so persistant. I can imagine him going ''I told you so'' to his mom after 50 years

[zb]

Honestly it just satisfies me, no matter who does it, best sound ever.

[TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

The doctor got a Nobel Prize and deservedly so, it also makes him the most persistent human to ever exist. 50 years is insane dedication.

[noelmorgan]

Oh imagine after the 50 years you get to pop your right hand!

[Tichondrius-]

I am cracking my neck, my back, my knees, my elbows, my wrists, my 20 fingers, and my hip joints for almost 15 years now. Feeling great so far.

[shelleyjackson]

Who else cracks their back by turning it sideways? Eg: sitting in a chair pulling self to one side but buttocks stays in same place

[ok-mtiz]

Me: *trying to get a midnight snack without waking anybody up *
My ankles: * *sNaP cRaCkLe pOps aT 3000 dB* *

[satyenkulkarni]

Who else cracked their joints while watching this?

[walteroysters]

The animated people bending their bodies like a sideways question mark is the funniest part of this

[DanielaBodoh]

I love cracking my knuckles, it feels really satisfying. I play piano and violin so I'm constantly using my fingers every day, and after an intense practice session, nothing is better than that satisfying crack... Anyone else relate to this???

[h]

I cracked my dads neck and he’s been sleeping for 2 days now 😂

[riogan]

who cracked his/her fingers/knuckes *unnoticeably* while watching this?

[HeyKevinYT]

I tried my best to not crack any joints while watching this, but then I moved my leg and it popped. XD

[vixendais]

Crackin my toes is the easiest thing possible. I can walk and crack my toes without trying. It makes it hard to sneak tho lol

[EarnestGamer]

I not only crack my own joints, I also crack other people's, I'm a chiropractor. xD

[veraliberman]

"the biggest danger is annoying those around you" - noice :>

[satviksoni]

Who else was laughing their ass of because of the animation? 😂😂😂

[puddinmaster]

i hate it when someone tells me to stop popping my knuckles.

[minipiedmonte]

Imagine how satisfying it would be to catch that right hand after 50 years