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Habit cracking knuckles
I have a habit of cracking my knuckles. i do it 5-6 times everyday. ive been doing it for nearly 8-9 years . and recently i've noticed that when i wakeup in the morning im unable to move my fingers and when i try to move my fingers its so painful . what should i do . i have stopped doing it but still every morning when i get up my finger hurts and i have to massage my fingers slowly to reduce the pain. some advice plz
Answers (14)
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By doing this you may have irritated the surrounding structure and the cartilages may get even weakened..
May be there are possibilities of Rheumatoid Arthritis if redness, swelling and warmth is present with morning stiffness.
You may also have osteoarthritis as repetitive use of the joints over the years causes damage to the cartilage that leads to joint pain and swelling.
Next Steps
- Hot fomentation for 10-15 minutes. If inflammation is there then apply cold pack instead of hot pack for few days.
-When inflammation subsides apply hot pack.
- Normal ROM exercises of fingers and wrist.
- Mild stretching of fingers if swelling is not there.
- Strengthening exe of fingers with finger gripper or pen in between the fingers etc.
- Massaging surrounding area.
- You can take Glucosamine supplements for joint pain.
- Vit D supplements.
- Multivitamins supplements.
- Good healthy diet with protein and vitamins rich food.
- Regular exercise amd proper routine.
Health Tips
- Blood Test for uric acid level and Rh factor.
- X-ray findings.
- Take second opinion.
- Consult a orthopedician or physiotherapist for proper diagnosis.
** Get well soon**
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You should find out the root cause of your pain and stiffness.
You should check for rheumatoid arthritis and your uric acid level.
You can do finger exercises with ball.
Next Steps
You need to consult a Physician or Physiotherapist or Orthopaedist for further evaluation and treatment either in person or through video call.
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Hello
I would like to advice you to use contrast therapy like take 2 bowls one hot water and one cold water then dip the painful fingers on hot water for 3 mins then dip it in cold water for 1 min. Repeat it 2-3 times for 10 mins. After that you can do normal ROM exs of all fingers.
You can also do basic stretching exs of fingers and wrist joint to reduce that stiffness and pain.
Please try it hope it will help you.
Thank you.
And for further advise you can consult me.
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You might have hurted and made the cartilage stiff in this course of time...
Use warm water to dip the fingers in morning and then flex them slowly to the normal range...do not press...do not over do...
Next Steps
a little exercise will help
Health Tips
use mustard oil to massage joints softly
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Do hot fermentation and ball exercise
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Avoid doing gripping activities and especially the use of mobile. Your muscles of the forearm are getting tighter due to working and holding objects with wrist flexed.
Next Steps
rest for few days, stretching exercises
Health Tips
we can do a teleconsultation if you want
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You should consult with your physician first and should go for a blood test which would include your cbc, calcium, vitamins and also RA factor testing.
It might be a symptom of early RA.
For now you can do hot water treatment for 10-15 mins ( after waking up soak your hand in hot water and try to do some finger movements in the pain-free zone ).
Next Steps
If the reports of your tests comes negative than do contact a physiotherapist and start your hand and wrist strengthening exercises under the guidance of a physiotherapist . If you do need any guidance we are available on practo too.
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Do Hot Water Fomentation for 15 Minutes Twice Daily.
Finger Exercises With Finger Gripper for Strengthening.
Do Wrist Exercises Also (Circular Movement 10-10 Times Each Direction)
Next Steps
If You Want You Can Visit Our Clinic or Take Online Consultation for Proper Exercises Program for Your Condition Accordingly.
You can also Discuss Your Case With Me By Going to My Profile ..
We Provide Proper Online Consultation With Videos, Pics, On Call & Text Massages for Perfect Results.
Health Tips
An X-RAY May Be Required for Further Evaluation.
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For a long time u did it. N its a bad habit. Due to this bad habbit may be your supporting structure are weak.
N second thing it may be a genetic disorder.
Next Steps
First consult with physiotherapist .
Do some blood test like ra factor, crp and cbc
Health Tips
If all test negative than start gentle strengthening exercise under guidance of Physiotherapist.
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Stop cracking your fingers.It would weaken the supporting structures.
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Hello,
You should consult with a Rheumatologist
And make the diagnosis (cause of pain).
After that treat the condition
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Mr. Nitin Kumar Arora (PT)
Physiotherapist
8 yrs exp
Delhi
This is really not a good habit as it causes damage to the internal structures of the joint. Apply ice cubes on this for 4 minutes thrice a day.
Next Steps
You can consult us online on the Practo app to get a customized tailor made exercise routine for your condition.
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Ms. Komal Jagtap Gaonkar (PT)
Physiotherapist
15 yrs exp
Mumbai
It can be due arthritis.
Need proper evaluation of the cause and need proper assessment too.
Do finger strengthening exercises.
Squeezing smilely ball.exs.
Next Steps
try to visit to nearest physiotherapy clinic for treatment and advice.and for proper diagnosis.
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Dr. Jacob Roshan Mathew (PT)
Physiotherapist
21 yrs exp
Bangalore
Knuckle cracking when performed repeatedly could irritate the joint cartilage....
If you do desk based computer keyboard work the muscles around the wrist which start at the elbow could be tight.
Yes as indicated earlier if you have 2 sides affected and other joints involved do a blood test. Sometimes all the indoor sitting could also give joint based pain as Vit D levels drop.
Next Steps
Palm up and move the wrist up and down with 10-15 sec holds. rotate from palm up to palm down 10-15 times, gripping and some shoulder pull back with hold 10-15 times, could help.
Health Tips
hope this helps, use online consult if needed for specific tailormade exefcises for you
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