is cracking my knuckles bad?
user
According to some doctors, knuckle cracking itself does no harm to your fingers, neck, ankles, or other joints that pop and crack throughout the day—whether from normal day-to-day motions or compulsive habits like pressing our knuckles or twisting your neck until you hear that familiar crack.

However, if you experience discomfort while cracking, then there could be a pre-existing condition that is aggravated by twisting and pressing the joint. In this case it would be wise to consult an actual physician.
assistant
What are some of the conditions that can be aggravated by cracking joints and what should one do if they experience discomfort while cracking?
user
There are some conditions that can be aggravated by popping joints, namely various forms of arthritis. While cracking joints doesn't cause arthritis, arthritis can make unintentional joint popping more frequent. Popping your joints shouldn’t be painful, cause swelling, or change the shape of the joint. If any of these things happen, you should stop cracking your joints and see a medical professional to make sure it is not caused by an underlying issue.
assistant