In the search for clues to solve the mystery of why osteoarthritis occurs, researchers look at the factors that influence the development of the disease. We have already noted that the statistical risk of developing osteoarthritis increases with age and is higher for women than for men. This was once attributed to a lifetime of wear and tear, but as we’ve seen present thinking suggests that there may be other causes! However, we don’t know precisely what they are.
The following factors have been shown to have an impact on the incidence or severity of osteoarthritis:
- Injuries
- Heredity
- Obesity
- Occupation
Injuries
When a joint has been damaged by injury, severe overuse, or another disease, arthritis symptoms may develop over time. This is called secondary arthritis. (Primary arthritis is the ordinary land that arises seemingly from nowhere.)
Exercise in general promotes health, and some exercise may actually strengthen joints and muscles. This is great, because some evidence shows that weak muscles can lead to osteoarthritis. Weakness in the thigh muscles, for instance, puts greater stress on the knee joint, setting up the process of wear and tear. Strengthening these muscles might help prevent osteoarthritis, or at least keep it from progressing as quickly. However, excessive use of parts of the body can cause osteoarthritis symptoms to begin earlier in life.
It’s important to note that recreational sports at a reasonable level are not likely to be harmful for most people. Joints that are healthy to begin with appear to tolerate prolonged, vigorous, low-impact exercise without accelerated development of osteoarthritis. However, if you have already suffered damage to a joint, ligament, or tendon, you may need to be especially careful. Your doctor should be able to suggest appropriate sports and a good level of activity.
Heredity
Genetics appears to play a role in the development of osteoarthritis in the hands. However, it’s a modest role. Just because your mother had hand arthritis doesn’t mean you and your siblings will too. Most likely, a combination of genetic susceptibility and other unidentified factors in the environment must all be present at the same time if you’re to develop the disease.
Obesity
After the age of 65, the majority of adults in the industrialized world are obese, and obesity appears to be a risk factor for knee osteoarthritis. Unlike aging and genetics, this is one risk factor we can control. Losing weight will not only prolong your life, it will reduce the risk of living with serious discomfort.
Occupation
Certain job-related activities continued for many years can induce osteoarthritis in specific joints, most likely because of repeated injuries. Some well-studied examples include osteoarthritis of the knees and spine in miners, osteoarthritis of the hip in farmers, and increased rates of osteoarthritis in the upper joints of pneumatic-drill operators. If you’re in a profession that severely stresses your joints, you might be particularly interested to know that chondroitin and other “chondroprotective” substances may help prevent arthritis from developing or progressing.
Weather
Many people suffering from osteoarthritis swear that weather conditions influence their joint pain. So far, science can offer no proof that this is true, nor can it explain why this seems to happen. Few studies have been published on the subject, and they offer differing opinions.12 Physicians agree, however, that for those who believe weather can influence their pain, even though the causes remain unknown, the effect is real. Unfortunately there isn’t much you can do about this risk factor except retire to a warm climate.
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