I also think joint cracking is linked with OCD. I have never been diagnosed with it, but I know I have it because I have the symptoms. I must turn the tv volume onto an even number, I sort my sweets into pairs especially when they are different colours, I count my steps sometimes when I walk, I try not to step on the cracks when I am walking on a tiled floor, when I play card games I drive everyone else who play insane because I constantly pack their cards straight when they pack them out on the table! I also frequently wash my hands and hardly ever walk barefoot because I am scared I will get dirt and germs on my skin. Jointcraking is just another part of my OCD behaviour.

I started cracking both my thumbs last year. I do this by bending them downwards. It's my latest habit and I would like to stop but it feels nice when I do it. Its the first thing I do in the morning (before I open my eyes) and its like they become stiff and I have to crack them. It sounds different than when people crack their knuckles, I dont crack my knuckles bcos I dont really like the feeling. I have also been cracking my wrists since I was about 10, I am 20 now. But I also had some bad experiences with joints, my knee in particular. Last year I "tore cartilage in my knee" - or so the doctor told me. I still dont know what caused this! My knee became swollen and stiff about 3 times during last year, I couldn't walk for a couple of days each time. I had an arthroscopy in the beginning of this year to remove the torn cartilage but it didnt help. Now my knee still cracks/pops and it is so sore when this happens. I am too scared to go back to the doctor, after the arthroscopy was unsuccessful, what will the doctor be able to do for me this time? If I could, I would stop cracking all my joints, but I can't stop, its like the habit of biting your nails - which I don't do, thank goodness!