Question
Hi!

I have a family history of arthiritis (mom and grandma).

I crack my knuckles frequently as well as my back, neck, ankles, toes...does this cause or contribute to the formation of arthiritis?

I am 20...what can I do if anything to prevent arthritis?

Thanks

Answer
Dear Jenna,   Knuckle cracking does NOT cause Rheumatoid Arthritis.....  You would have to have the Rheumatoid Factor in your blood to be positive before there would even be a possibility of you having RA.....  

There have been studies that show that cracking knuckles, back, neck etc could cause early Osteoarthritis which can NOT be detected by any blood work....

Since I do not know the TYPE of arthritis that your mom and grandma have I can't tell you if you are more prone to develope arthritis, but if they have Rheumatoid Arthritis, it can be genetic....  Oseoarthritis is a degenerative disc disease that happens when the cartiledge between the joints wears down...  Sports, old age etc causes this type of arthritis....

thank you,   karen