An Osteoarthritis Primer

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that occurs when cartilage begins to break down and wear away in the joints. Because bones located in the joint begin to rub together when the cartilage breaks down, people experience pain, swelling and even bones loss in the joint area.

Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis that mostly affects the weight-bearing joints, such as feet, knees, hips and hands. It usually occurs after age 40 and is increasingly common in women after age 45. According to the Arthritis Foundation, women are more susceptible to osteoarthritis because they have broader hips, which can cause additional strain on the knees over a period of time.

What Causes Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is caused when the connective tissue called cartilage begins to break down. Because cartilage is essentially a soft, cushion-like tissue, it absorbs shock and reduces friction between the bones. When the cartilage begins to deteriorate, it can no longer prevent the bones located in a joint from rubbing against each other. Without the protective cushioning, the bones cannot move freely because of additional pressure on the joint. In addition, the lack of cartilage limits range of motion and causes pain and swelling in joints.

Osteoarthritis Risk Factors

Some factors that may increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis include:

Age: Although symptoms of osteoarthritis can begin in young adults, being over the age of 45 puts you at a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis.

Gender: According to the Arthritis Foundation, women are more susceptible to osteoarthritis because they have broader hips, which can cause additional strain on the knees over a period of time.

Obesity: Because osteoarthritis mostly affects the weight-bearing joints, being overweight puts even more pressure on joints. When you carry extra weight, the cartilage that cushions your joints breaks down faster than usual.

Prior Injuries: Serious injuries to joints can lead to osteoarthritis. Repeated injury to the same joint can cause damage to the joint, tendons and ligaments, causing cartilage to break down more quickly.

Overuse: Repetitious movement caused by a profession requiring constant use of a specific joint, such as carpentry, or by an athletic sport, such as baseball, can make cartilage wear away much faster than moderate use of the joints.

Genetics & Family History: Certain people may have a defect in the gene

responsible for production of collagen, the protein substance that makes up cartilage. Others carry slight genetic defects in the way bones and joints fit together, which can cause cartilage to break down at a faster rate. However, if you have a family history of osteoarthritis, it does not mean that you necessarily will develop the disease. There are other risk factors in addition to genetics that must be involved.