Just about anyone is at risk for arthritis, as aging increases the risk. Other factors also increase the risk of developing arthritis, including having a genetic predisposition to the disease.
Arthritis Causes & Risks
Risk factors for arthritis vary depending on the type, but in general, genetics and lifestyle are the dominant causes. Any kind of excessive stress or injury to the joints may increase your risk, affecting people who are overweight or who play sports. The risk for some types of arthritis increase with age. Women are more likely to have arthritis of the hands and knees, while men are more likely to have arthritis of the hips, knees and spine.
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Sigma Nursing answeredSee All 3 AnswersMost types of arthritis are caused by the breakdown of cartilage and synovium (a pocket of fluid between cartilage) within joints. Rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis are both caused when the body's immune system attacks the tissues that line the joints, which can destroy the joint's cartilage and bone over time. Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear of joints, or excessive stress or injury to joints. Post-traumatic arthritis is caused by sudden trauma to a joint, usually as a result of an accident or injury.
Risk factors for arthritis can vary depending on the type, but in general, certain things may increase your risk. Genetics may play a role in the development of certain types of arthritis, so if your family members have arthritis, you're more likely to develop it. Women are more likely than men to develop many types of arthritis. Also, any kind of excessive stress or injury to the joints may increase the risk of developing arthritis, so people who are overweight or who play sports are often at a higher risk. Age also plays a role in the development of some types of arthritis, so being over the age of 40 may increase your risk.
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Joint injury can lead to osteoarthritis. People who experience sports or occupational injuries or have jobs with repetitive motions like repeated knee bending have more osteoarthritis. Avoid joint injury to reduce your risk of developing osteoarthritis.
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredSee All 2 Answers
High heels can cause knee and foot problems, but many people don't know it can also cause joint pain. Find out why as Dr. Oz explains in this video about arthritis and high heels.
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Regular exercise decreases the likelihood of developing arthritis-related disabilities. For those with arthritis, not exercising can make consequences of the disease worse. A major survey of 3,554 men and women aged 53 to 63 discovered that regular exercise decreases the likelihood of developing arthritis-related disabilities by 10% among arthritis suffers. Further, inactive arthritis sufferers showed a 37% increase in disabilities as compared with 29% and 27% for those who exercised. And respondents who engaged in 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity five days per week reported increased relief of functional decline related to arthritis. -
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Dole Nutrition Institute answeredMost saturated fats trigger an inflammatory reaction in the body, which exacerbates arthritis symptoms. Many doctors recommend that arthritis patients limit their consumption of whole-dairy products (such as whole milk, cheese and ice cream) and animal products (such as red meat and poultry), and replace them with healthier choices, like cold-water fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Doctors who recommend fish to alleviate joint pain and stiffness say the benefits are maximized when other animal fats are minimized. In addition, in a 2004 study published in Arthritis & Rheumatism, British researchers identified a high level of red meat consumption as an independent risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis after finding that the subjects who ate the most red meat were twice as likely to develop the disease as those who limited their intake to less than an ounce per day. -
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See All 2 AnswersAt least 46 million Americans (about one in five) have a diagnosed form of arthritis, and nearly 19 million people find that arthritis limits their daily activities. Nearly two-thirds of all individuals with arthritis are under the age of 65. More than half of all adults with diabetes and heart disease have arthritis.
Being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis. One study showed that women who lose as little as 11 pounds can decrease their risk of knee osteoarthritis by more than 50%. -
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Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answeredSee All 2 AnswersCracking your knuckles makes you sound like a bowl of Rice Krispies and never goes over well in church. While it's painful for everyone around you to hear, you're not doing any harm to your joints, bones, or muscles when you crack-unless it hurts when you crack them. It's just caused by the high-pressure suction of gas being expelled when your joints move apart. If it hurts when your knuckles or knees crack, you need to see your doctor to assess what kind of joint damage you may have.
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Dr. Christopher W. Hodgkins, MD , Orthopedic Surgery, answered on behalf of Baptist Health South FloridaIn arthritis of the midfoot, the joints of the midfoot can begin to wear out for a variety of reasons. If they are injured by a fall, a twist or a crush accident, progressive degeneration of the joints can begin. Sometimes an individual’s foot anatomy places more pressure on one portion of the foot, causing a joint to wear. In addition, small amounts of loosening of the joints or slight flattening of the foot can begin the degeneration toward arthritis.