It's not arthritis, nor will it cause arthritis....it's simply relieving the pressure within the joint and in most cases, makes the joint feel better.
It doesn't cause arthritis to crack joints- your friends are right that it's actually bubbles forming in the synovial fluid in your joints.
What happens is that when you "pop" a joint you stretch the joint capsule, which rapidly releases the oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen gases in the synovial fluid. These form bubbles which then … Read more