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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffFactors that increase your risk of osteoarthritis include:
- Older age. The risk of osteoarthritis increases with age.
- Sex. Women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis, though it isn't clear why.
- Bone deformities. Some people are born with malformed joints or defective cartilage, which can increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
- Joint injuries. Injuries, such as those that occur when playing sports or from an accident, may increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
- Obesity. Carrying more body weight places more stress on your weight-bearing joints, such as your knees.
- Sedentary lifestyle. Cartilage depends on joint use for its nutrition.
- Certain occupations. If your job includes tasks that place repetitive stress on a particular joint, that may predispose that joint toward eventually developing osteoarthritis.
- Other diseases. Having diabetes, underactive thyroid, gout or Paget's disease of bone can increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis.
References
- Handout on health: Osteoarthritis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Osteoarthritis/default.asp. Accessed Aug. 15, 2011.
- Osteoarthritis. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00227. Accessed July 22, 2011.
- Lane NE, et al. Osteoarthritis. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191371208-2/0/1492/0.html#. Accessed Aug. 15, 2011.
- Kalunian KC. Risk factors and possible causes of osteoarthritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 16, 2011.
- Kalunian KC. Diagnosis and classification of osteoarthritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 16, 2011.
- Lozada CJ. Management of osteoarthritis. In: Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1807/0.html. Accessed Aug. 16, 2011.
- Osteoarthritis. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http//www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Aug. 16, 2011.
- Lorig K, et al. Hints, tips, gadgets and resources. In: Lorig K, et. al. The Arthritis Helpbook: A Tested Self-Management Program for Coping With Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. 6th ed. Cambridge, Mass.: Da Capo Press; 2006:55.
- Berman BM, et al. Effectiveness of acupuncture as adjunctive therapy in osteoarthritis of the knee: A randomized, controlled trial. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2004;12:901.
- Sawitzke AD, et al. Clinical efficacy and safety of glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, their combination, celecoxib or placebo taken to treat osteoarthritis of the knee: 2-year results from GAIT. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 2010;8:1459.
- Wang C, et al. Tai chi is effective in treating knee osteoarthritis: A randomized, controlled trial. Arthritis and Rheumatism. 2009;11:1545.
- Haaz S, et al. Yoga for arthritis: A scoping review. Rheumatic Diseases Clinics of North America. 2011;37:33.
- Rohren CH (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 24, 2011.
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