Osteoarthritis risk factors: who is more likely to get OA

What osteoarthritis is

Osteoarthritis is a joint disease in which the tissues in the joint break down over time. It most often affects the hands, knees, hips, neck and lower back (NIAMS). In a healthy joint, smooth cartilage covers the ends of the bones; with OA the cartilage breaks down and becomes rough, and bumps of extra bone called bone spurs may grow (MedlinePlus).

NIAMS says this does not happen because of simple wear and tear. Changes in the joint tissue trigger the breakdown, which usually happens slowly over years, although it can get worse quickly in some people (NIAMS). Researchers do not know exactly what starts it; MedlinePlus says it is probably a mix of factors in the body and the environment (NIAMS) (MedlinePlus).

Who is more likely to get osteoarthritis

NIAMS and MedlinePlus name the same 6 risk factors (NIAMS) (MedlinePlus):

• Aging. OA can happen at any age, but the chance goes up in middle age and older.
• Being overweight or having obesity. Extra weight puts more stress on your joints (MedlinePlus).
• A past injury or surgery on a joint. MedlinePlus says this is often the cause of OA in younger adults (MedlinePlus).
• Overusing a joint with repeated movements. MedlinePlus gives sports with a lot of jumping, twisting, running or throwing as examples (MedlinePlus).
• A joint that did not form correctly or does not line up correctly.
• A family history of osteoarthritis. Some people inherit genetic changes that raise their chance of getting it (MedlinePlus).

Sex matters too. Women are more likely than men to have OA, especially after age 50, and for many women it develops after menopause (NIAMS). In younger people, NIAMS says OA usually comes from a joint injury, a joint that formed abnormally or a genetic defect in joint cartilage (NIAMS).

Age, sex and family history cannot be changed. Weight can: the BMI calculator shows where your weight falls.

Is there a mnemonic for osteoarthritis risk factors?

Neither NIAMS nor MedlinePlus gives a mnemonic, so we do not offer one. The list above is the full list from the 2 sources (NIAMS) (MedlinePlus).

Symptoms

Symptoms often start slowly in 1 or a few joints, and not everyone has pain (NIAMS) (MedlinePlus). Common symptoms are:

• pain when you use the joint, which often gets better with rest
• stiffness, usually lasting less than 30 minutes, in the morning or after resting
• swelling, especially after using the joint a lot
• less movement in the joint than normal
• a joint that feels loose or unstable

Knees may make a grinding noise, and hip OA can cause pain in the groin, inner thigh or buttocks (NIAMS). Pain and other symptoms can also lead to tiredness, poor sleep and feeling depressed (NIAMS).

How it is diagnosed

There is no single test for osteoarthritis. A provider asks about your symptoms and medical history, does a physical exam and may order x-rays or other imaging. Blood tests or a sample of joint fluid may be used to rule out other causes, such as infection or gout (NIAMS) (MedlinePlus). Early joint damage does not usually show on x-rays (NIAMS).

What may help

NIAMS and MedlinePlus do not give a list of ways to prevent OA. They do describe steps that ease symptoms and help keep it from getting worse (NIAMS) (MedlinePlus):

• exercise to improve strength, flexibility and balance, starting slowly; low-impact activities include walking, cycling, swimming and tai chi
• losing weight if you are overweight, which can ease pain and lower stress on weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips
• avoiding repeated motions such as frequent bending
• braces or shoe inserts fitted by a health care professional

Pain relievers, creams, joint injections and, if other treatments do not help enough, surgery are also options to discuss with your provider (NIAMS) (MedlinePlus). There is no cure for OA (MedlinePlus).

Common questions

Is osteoarthritis just wear and tear?

No. NIAMS says OA does not happen because of simple wear and tear on the joints; changes in the joint tissue trigger the breakdown (NIAMS).

How is osteoarthritis different from rheumatoid arthritis and gout?

They are different diseases with their own risk factors. See rheumatoid arthritis risk factors and gout risk factors.

Is osteoarthritis the same as osteoporosis?

No. Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that affects the joints (MedlinePlus). Osteoporosis is a different condition with its own risk factors; see osteoporosis risk factors.