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Cracking fingers - Fingerknacken causes and consequences
Crackling fingers are observed when one or more finger joints are moved passively (i.e., by external force) beyond the active range of motion, that is, the range of motion that is possible by the musculature acting on the joint. Furthermore, the cracking of the fingers can be heard when the joint position is changed only after a long time. Finger joint cracking causes no pain, is even perceived by those concerned usually as pleasant or relieving. It can be done both consciously and unconsciously.
contents
- Causes of cracking fingers
- Glued sliding layers as a reason for cracking fingers
- Symptoms with cracking fingers
- Consequences of finger-clicking
- differential diagnosis
Causes of cracking fingers
Theory I: Gas bubbles are the reason for clicking fingers?
The finger joints, like all "real" joints of the human body have the same structure. Condyle and socket are enclosed by the joint capsule. The resulting space is called joint cavity. The two partners are separated by the joint space. The ligamentous apparatus and surrounding muscles stabilize the joint.
The finger joints are divided into basic, middle and end joints. (Image: sebra / fotolia.com) The joint cavity and the gap are filled with a viscous fluid called synovia. It increases the lubricity of the joint surfaces and helps to dampen vibrations in the joint. In addition, it transports nutrients into the articular cartilage and contains dissolved gas molecules. Now, if the finger joints are stretched jerkily beyond a certain point, there is a sudden change in the prevailing pressure in the joint. The resulting negative pressure leads to the release of gases dissolved in the synovium. This creates a bubble of gas, whose bursting is perceived as cracking. It then takes a moment until the gas concentration in the synovial fluid rises again, so that a finger-cracking is possible again.
Glued sliding layers as a reason for cracking fingers
Another explanation is offered by the Fascial Distortion Model (FDM), a model of the emergency physician and osteopath. Stephen Typaldos D.O. The word is formed from the Latin terms "fascia" = bundle and "distorsio" = twist. It includes a diagnostic concept that focuses on the patient's body language, clinical appearance and history. The treatment then takes place manually.
The model traces the "crackling noises" to changes in the position and tension of fascia close to joints. The term fascia describes in medicine a part of the connective tissue that penetrates the human body as a connected tension network. Fascia plays an important role in the immune system and also forms the basis for the healing process of the tissue. Furthermore, fascia, similar to the synovium, has the task of absorbing and damping forces ("shockabsorber"). Excessively strong pressure or tension, usually in combination with warping, leads to deformation and therefore to the loss of the ability to reduce shocks. As the procedure progresses, pain typically develops.
Crackling fingers in this model are attributed to an impairment of the fascia. Here, the partially unconscious finger joint cracking is considered as self-therapy, whereby the affected people independently solve the fascia again and again to relieve the symptoms. Frequently, the actual location of the disturbance is not in the area of the fingers, but rather extends to them. If now the fixed region, which was identified as a cause, should be followed by an improved movement behavior. Also, the need for self-therapy, so with the fingers to crack, should not be so pronounced.
Cause of finger-biting today clearly clarified
At the beginning of 2015, an international team of researchers led by lead author Greg Kawchuk from the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta, Canada, published a study in the journal PLoS One that finally clarified the phenomenon of finger-jointing using MRI scans Has.
If enough force is pulled on the finger, the joint gap widened and very suddenly a gas-filled cavity is created in the synovial fluid (synovial fluid). "It's a bit like a vacuum building," report Professor Kawchuk and colleagues. Because the interfaces separate at once, there is insufficient fluid available to fill the increasing volume and create a void. On the basis of the MRI images, the scientists were able to clearly assign the origin of the crack to this event, while the regression of the bladder after releasing the finger was noiseless.
Often the crackling of the fingers is provoked. (Image: mraoraor / fotolia.com)Symptoms with cracking fingers
Crackling fingers occur in most cases on both sides of the hands, but can also be stored on one side. Most sufferers report that cracking occurs on first movement after remaining in a flexion or rest position. In other cases it is provoked by pulling on the finger.
In general, most people are more likely to be disturbed by the noise and there are no additional symptoms. If you have pain with cracking fingers, or severe pain or restricted mobility, you should have a medical check-up.
Consequences of finger-clicking
Since there is no evidence-based knowledge about the effects of the resulting forces in the formation of the cavity, it can not be said with certainty whether the finger-cracking is harmless. The scientists around Professor Greg Kawchuk suspect that there may actually be minimal damage to the bone and subsequently joint pain. In any case, it makes sense to see a physician as soon as additional symptoms such as finger pain or functional limitations occur.
Also, the repetitive, forced "overstretching" of a joint is a type of stress on the supporting capsular ligament apparatus, the damage of which is accompanied by a loss of stability of the joint. If this is the case, the distribution of the forces acting in the joint changes and this can lead to disproportionate loading of one or even more joints.
In inflammation of the finger joints often rubbing noises occur. (Image: Africa Studio / fotolia.com) differential diagnosis
Pathological movement sounds:
"Crunching Sounds": Often occur as a result of advanced, degenerative changes in joints, such as "snowball crunching" as a typical sound in congestion damage to tendons.
"Grinding noises": Often occur as a result of degenerative and inflammatory joint changes. Also provide evidence of overload damage.
"Snapping noises": Especially with joint instability, snapping occurs while moving. The perceived sounds can be caused by tendons that slide over a bone protrusion. (Philipp Schulz, physiotherapist, fp, last updated on 14.11.2017)
Specialist supervision: Barbara Schindewolf-Lensch (doctor)