Arthritis: Six risk factors for developing osteoarthritis - how many do you have?

From express.co.uk

ARTHRITIS isn't a rite of passage into older age. However, there are certain circumstances that increase the likelihood of developing the disease, especially osteoarthritis - the most common form of the condition

Osteoarthritis damages the cartilage coating that protects bones in a joint; the disease causes the usually smooth cushion to thin out and to roughen. As a consequence, pain can be felt in the joint. The charity Versus Arthritis have identified six risk factors for developing osteoarthritis.

Age

Firstly, the condition usually starts from the late 40s onwards, which can be attributed to the following reasons:

• Weakening muscles
• Weight gain
• Reduced healing capacity

Sex

Secondly, a person's sex tends to play a role, as osteoarthritis is more common and severe in females.

Weight

Thirdly, obesity can put extra pressure on weight-bearing joints such as the knee and hip, which are most commonly affected by osteoarthritis.

Injury

Fourthly, a major injury or operation on a joint can increase the chances of developing osteoarthritis.

"Very hard, repetitive activity or physically demanding jobs can increase your risk," Versus Arthritis warned.

Joint abnormalities

Another risk factor is developing joint abnormalities in childhood, which can lead to earlier and more severe osteoarthritis.

Genes

The final risk factor for the disease is whether you've inherited faulty genes. Osteoarthritis has been linked to a mutated gene responsible for collagen production. This means if osteoarthritis runs in your family, you're at heightened risk of developing the condition yourself.

Arthritis: Are you at risk of the disease? (Image: Getty)

When osteoarthritis attacks the smooth cartilage, making it become thin and rough, other changes can happen in the joint too.

There may be more fluid in the joint area, causing the joint to swell, and tissue surrounding the joint may stretch so much that the joint become less stable.

In response to the thinning cartilage, extra pieces of bone – known as osteophytes – might begin to grow.

These bony growths can restrict movement in the joint and rub against other tissue.

How a healthy joint looks (Image: Versus Arthrtitis)

When this occurs in the fingers, for example, there may be visible knobbly swellings along the finger joints.

Swollen joints may make a grating or cracking sounds when moved, known as crepitus.

The degree of damage done in the joints doesn't predict how much pain someone will suffer from the condition.

Some people may have extensive damage in their joints but have relatively few symptoms.

A joint affected by osteoarthritis (Image: Versus Arthrtitis)

For others less fortunate, even a small amount of damage in the joints can lead to lots of painful symptoms and mobility issues.

Symptoms of the condition include:

• Joint pain
• Joint stiffness
• Joint swelling
• Mobility issues

There's no blood test to diagnose arthritis, so a GP will rely on the symptoms you report and a physical examination.

The physical examination will check for joint tenderness, grating of the joints, swelling, excess fluid, restricted movement and joint instability.

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1412213/arthritis-risk-factors-osteoarthritis-sex-age-obesity-injury-joint-abnormalities-genetics