From: utzoo!decvax!yale-com!leichter
Newsgroups: net.med
Title: Re: knuckle-cracking
Article-I.D.: yale-com.724
Posted: Wed Jan 26 12:16:09 1983
Received: Sat Jan 29 09:14:51 1983
References: tekmdp.1708

The last article I saw on the subject (not that long ago and in some medical
journal) stated that the actual mechanism in knuckle (or other joint) cracking
was still unknown.  The prevailing "best guess" was that it was caused by
bubbles somehow getting introduced into the synovial fluid - in which the joints
are bathed - and then bursting.  I guess in this picture the feeling of relief
you sometimes get when cracking, say, your back when it's stiff is the result
of a bubble finally bursting and relieving a pressure build-up within the joint.
								-- Jerry
							decvax!yale-comix!leichter
(oops, one tab too many...)