Being obese or overweight can dramatically increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis. The increased weight on the joints of the legs (hip, knees, and ankles) increases the friction and pressure inside the joint, wearing down the cartilage faster than at lighter weights. Research shows you can decrease your risk simply by losing as little as 11 pounds.
Osteoarthritis Causes and Risk Factors
Osteoarthritis (OA) is usually caused by repetitive stress to the joint due to activities such as exercise or work. Damage to the cartilage can be the result of a previous injury, such as an dislocation or fracture. Age, heredity, injury and infection are the most common causes of OA. Of all factors contributing to osteoarthritis, age is the most important one. Your doctor can evaluate for any structural abnormalities or family history that might increase your risk for osteoarthritis.
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See All 2 AnswersDisability is a common result of years of degenerating joints that cause pain, restrict mobility, and limit daily activities such as work. Osteoarthritis is known to cause disability in later life. There are ways to avoid or slow down the disabling effects of osteoarthritis with pain medications, exercise, physical therapy, and surgery. It usually takes years for osteoarthritis to become severe, but in some cases it can progress quickly. There are varying degrees of disability. Only a doctor can diagnose you with a disability related to osteoarthritis.
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See All 2 AnswersBefore age 55, men are more likely to get osteoarthritis than women. However, after age 55, the disease becomes more common in women. Overall, more women have osteoarthritis than men. One possible reason: Women’s broader hips may put more long-term stress on their knees. The knee joint is one of the most common places for osteoarthritis to occur.
Age (getting older), obesity and injury are the most common causes of OA.
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Family history may play a role in who gets osteoarthritis (OA). Researchers have found that there is a strong link between genes and osteoarthritis. Several genes have been identified that show osteoarthritis can be inherited. More research needs to be done on genetic tendency toward obesity and how it influences osteoarthritis, how genetics physically affects the shape of the joint, and other health factors that may or may not have some bearing on risk.
It's believed that people with osteoarthritis may inherit abnormalities of the bones or cartilage that may cause the cartilage to wear away more easily. When the cartilage that supports and cushions the joints of the hands, spine, hips and knees wears away, the bones rub against each other causing the painful condition known as osteoarthritis. OA is a leading cause of disability in people older than 65 and can interfere with a person's ability to work and normal perform day-to-day activities such as climbing stairs.
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Osteoarthritis is a problem of joint decay. The joints begin to decay because the cartilage that supports and cushions the joints of the hands, spine, hips and knees wears away, causing bones to rub against each other. The rubbing causes pain, swelling and loss of motion in the joint.
This may cause the joint to lose its normal shape, and bone spurs may grow on the edges of the joint. Bits of bone or cartilage can break off and float inside the joint space, which causes more pain and damage. Depending on the severity of the pain, medication and physical therapy may be able to minimize it. If these methods don't work, joint replacement surgery may be necessary.
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Osteoarthritis is considered a form of degenerative joint disease because it occurs when the cartilage that normally surrounds and protects the joints wears away. When the cartilage is worn away, bones rub against one another, causing pain and disability.
Several other diseases have symptoms similar to osteoarthritis (OA). They include:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease that can cause pain in the joints. RA occurs when the immune system attacks the joints and muscles causing joint pain and stiffness.
- Lupus, an autoimmune disease like RA, that causes inflammation in the joints, as well as in the tendons, skin and other connective tissues.
- Gout, which occurs when uric acid crystals build up in the joints, and causes joint inflammation, pain and tenderness.
- Bursitis, which occurs when the bursa (a fluid-filled sac) in the joints is irritated, can also cause pain.
- Tendinitis, which occurs in the tendons from overuse or strenuous exercise, can cause pain, swelling and decreased motion in the affected joints.
A doctor can often distinguish between OA and other conditions using a physical exam and x-rays.
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OA (osteoarthritis) can be caused by wear and tear on the joints, and is more prevalent in people over the age of 65. As we age, all of the bending, kneeling, running and jumping movements we did throughout the years begin to catch up with us. Wear and tear can cause osteoarthritis when the cartilage that supports and cushions the joints of the hands, spine, hips, and knees wears away, causing bones to rub against each other. Aging itself is a leading cause of OA and it's estimated that a third of people age 65 and older have osteoarthritis.
But wear and tear isn't the only cause of osteoarthritis. Injuries, the stress of repetitive motions, obesity and even some genetic conditions can also cause OA. Wear and tear on the joints can be minimized by resting between strenuous activities, maintaining a healthy weight and staying active using low-impact exercises such as walking, swimming and stretching.
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Age is one of the greatest risk factors for osteoarthritis (OA). The general wear and tear of aging can erode the cartilage that supports and cushions the joints of the hands, spine, hips and knees so that bones rub against each other. This rubbing can cause the painful condition of osteoarthritis. More than a third of people age 65 and older have OA.
Also, being overweight or obese puts extra pressure on the knee and hip joints, which can lead to osteoarthritis. OA may also be hereditary. Other risk factors include:
- joint defects
- genetic defects
- female gender
- deformities and misaligned bones
- injuries to the joint
- occupations that require repetitive motions
- other diseases, like gout or rheumatoid arthritis
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See All 2 AnswersHaving too much iron in the blood can damage joints. This is a condition called hemochromatosis, and it can lead to osteoarthritis.
Too much iron in the blood can also lead to other problems:
- arthritis
- diabetes
- heart problems
- increased risk for certain bacterial infections
- liver cirrhosis
- long-term abdominal pain
- testicular atrophy
- severe fatigue
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People who type, operate machinery, bend repeatedly or who have to regularly lift and carry heavy objects (construction workers, landscapers, warehouse workers) are more likely to develop osteoarthritis. Professional athletes whose sports include running, jumping or swinging are also at risk for injuries that may lead to osteoarthritis.
The repetitive motions of these jobs put constant stress on certain joints. Repetitive stress can injure the joints of the hands, spine, hips and knees by wearing away the cartilage that supports and cushions them, causing bones to rub against each other. People in these professions should talk to their employers about ways to reduce repetitive motion injuries. Athletes can work with trainers and use certain stretching and warm up techniques to cut down on their risk of injuries.