Have you ever heard the myth that cracking your knuckles breaks the bones of your deceased loved ones? Or that the number of noises you hear when you twist, pull, and bend your fingers reveals how many people are in love with you? We asked Dr. Robert Klapper , orthopaedic surgeon and co-director of the Joint Replacement Program , to explain what actually happens when you hear your joints snap, crack, and pop. According to Dr. Klapper, synovial fluid lubricates your joints like motor oil in a car's engine, reducing friction and preserving our cartilage.
The nitrogen bubbles within the synovial fluid usually take 20 minutes to re-form in your joints before they can crack again. Sometimes, X-rays can help a doctor tell the difference between a sprained and a broken knuckle. The more severe the symptoms, the more likely it is that the knuckle is broken. When this is the case, they may place a special cast around the thumb or hand to stabilize the fracture and allow it to heal without surgery.
If this is not possible, they may use a splint or a brace. A doctor may recommend that the person comes back to their office 1—2 weeks later to X-ray the hand again to ensure that it is healing properly. However, if the break is very severe, the doctor may recommend surgery to allow the metacarpal to heal and reduce the likelihood that the person will have a permanent hand deformity. There are several different approaches a doctor can take, including inserting wires or plates to stabilize the joint.
They should also discuss any potential side effects of treatment and what might happen if a person does not receive treatment for their injury. When a person first breaks their knuckle, they can use the RICE method to treat any pain and swelling:. Once a doctor has cleared a person to start moving the affected knuckle, they may recommend physical therapy or some exercises to do at home. Examples might include squeezing a rubber ball and placing a rubber band around the fingers and stretching out the hand.
A doctor should discuss any potential complications from a broken knuckle if the person has had surgery to repair it. These complications include:. Wounds and cuts around the knuckle can indicate that something is stuck in your hand. They can also indicate an open fracture, in which the bone has broken through the skin. If your doctor has reason to believe that one or more or your knuckles is fractured, they will order X-rays.
Your doctor will use several X-rays taken from different angles to make a thorough check for the fracture. Sometimes, additional X-rays or other imaging tests are used to provide more details about the injury.
In the short-term, broken knuckle treatment focuses on alleviating pain and swelling. The long-term goal of treatment for a broken knuckle is to keep the bone aligned while it heals.
However, it depends on the type, location, and severity of the break. In the immediate aftermath of a knuckle injury, apply a cold pack to the affected area to minimize pain and swelling. Keeping your hand still and in an elevated position can also help. Immobilization is a technique that involves keeping the broken knuckle in place so that it can heal. This can be done by taping two fingers together, a technique known as buddy taping.
The splint or cast may be applied to the finger, hand, or entire wrist area. Your doctor will let you know how long you need to wear the tape, splint, or cast. It may be several weeks to a month. Your doctor might suggest over-the-counter medication to target pain caused by a broken knuckle. If your pain is severe, your doctor might prescribe something stronger, such as codeine. Other medications include antibiotics, which are used to prevent infection on cuts or wounds near the injury. Most knuckle fractures do not require surgery.
However, your doctor might suggest surgery if:. The surgical procedure depends on a number of factors, including the location and severity of the fracture. Internal fixation procedures involve making an incision, realigning the knuckle, and using special pins, wires, screws, or plates to stabilize it.
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