MRI cracks the case of knuckle-popping puzzle

Evan Godt | | Health Imaging | Diagnostic Imaging

For some, cracking their knuckles is a nervous habit or part of a stretch routine during the workday. Others are sure it must cause damage or lead to arthritis. But until recently, nobody was certain about how the noise was even created. A team of researchers turned to MRI for the answer.

Led by researchers from the University of Alberta, the team looked at MRI video to determine a vacuum cavity rapidly forming inside the joint is the source of the distinctive sound. You can read the study they published on the subject in PLOS ONE. A sample MRI video and a press release from the University of Alberta are available below:

'Pull my finger!' say scientists who solve knuckle-cracking riddle

Evan Godt
Evan Godt, Writer

Evan joined TriMed in 2011, writing primarily for Health Imaging. Prior to diving into medical journalism, Evan worked for the Nine Network of Public Media in St. Louis. He also has worked in public relations and education. Evan studied journalism at the University of Missouri, with an emphasis on broadcast media.

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