Causes of Osteoarthritis
Causes Of Osteoarthritis (OA)
Although Knee Osteoarthritis affects as many as 45 percent of people in their lifetime, the exact cause is unknown. However, medical practitioners have discovered several risks that increase the chances of developing knee osteoarthritis. These include:
Congenital Disabilities or Illnesses
Chronic Injury and Joint Stress
Your susceptibility to developing osteoarthritis increases with age. As you grow old, the cartilage in the knee joint wears down, making it prone to damage and thinning. According to research done by the Arthritis Foundation, about 19 percent of people over 45 years have knee OA. The research further indicates that 37 percent of people over 60 years have the condition, although not all will have the symptoms.
The knees support the weight from the thighs upwards. Obese people are at two times more risk of developing knee arthritis than individuals who are not.
Surgery, a broken bone, or severe injuries that affect the knee joint can also lead to knee osteoarthritis. These symptoms may not be present immediately after the injuries but may reveal years later.
Hereditary genes also play a crucial role in the susceptibility of knee arthritis. For instance, if your mother had knee OA, you are more likely to develop the condition than people with no family history of the condition are.
Congenital Disabilities or Illnesses
Septic arthritis, gout, poor bone alignment, congenital conditions, and metabolic disorder can also increase your susceptibility to contracting knee arthritis.
Chronic Injury and Joint Stress
Individuals whose daily activities involve heavy lifting while standing, crawling, or squatting tend to experience mini-traumas. These mini traumas can lead to knee osteoarthritis over time—bodybuilders and other athletes who participate in high-impact sports are prone to knee osteoarthritis development.
Although putting too much stress on your knee joint can lead to arthritis, lack of exercise can also cause OA. Exercise helps in boosting the cartilage’s health and repair. Additionally, the knee joints contain fluid-rich nutrients that need to be circulated in the knee joint capsule. Regular exercise promotes proper circulation of the joint fluid.
Poor hamstring, calf, and quadriceps muscle development can put more stress on the knee’s bones and cartilage, causing knee osteoarthritis.
Research shows that women are about 40 percent more likely to develop knee arthritis than men are.
So, if this is you and you’ve been experiencing pain, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330.
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