Most people associate arthritis to old age, but not many know that even children and young adults can be at risk. Arthritis affects 15% of Indians and has high prevalence than other common disease. Dr Anil Raheja, Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgery, Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Delhi lists a few common causes and risk factors of arthritis in young people and kids.
Sports injuries: Sports injuries are one of the common causes of arthritis in growing children. Moreover, the trauma of sports inquiries can cause osteoarthritis in adults of any age. The common injuries that may lead to osteoarthritis are torn cartilage, dislocated joints and ligament injuries.
Electronic Gadgets: Everyone is aware that the younger generation spends most of the time on mobile phones, computers and other gaming devices. However, it not only makes them prone to osteoarthritis of the wrists and fingers but also affects the posture leading to joints disorders of the spine and hip, which are quite common these days.
Autoimmune disorders: Did you know autoimmune disease also puts young adults and children at risk of arthritis? It is a condition in which the immune system, which fights bacteria, attacks the healthy cells leading to infection and inflammation of the joints.
Obesity: Although arthritis affects people of all ages, genders, and sizes, the risk increases if one is overweight. Excess body weight adds additional stress on the joints, especially knees, hips, and back and can also cause cartilage damage, which is the hallmark of osteoarthritis.
Smoking: Cigarette smoking increases the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, particularly if you have a genetic predisposition for developing the disease. Smoking also appears to be associated with increase severity of the disease.
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