Osteoarthritis is one of the more prevalent type of arthritis, which affects millions of people across the world. This is an degenerative joint disorder that is characterized by the gradual loss of cartilage, which is the cushioning, smooth cartilage that covers the edges of bones in joints. As cartilage becomes worn away, bones start to rub against one another which causes stiffness, pain, and swelling.
What causes of osteoarthritis? While age is a widely known aspect, it’s far from being the sole cause. There are a variety of mechanical, biological, as well as life style factors can impact the development and progression of this disease.
Aging: The Natural Degeneration Process
Understanding of the Causes of Osteoarthritis
One of the main factors that lead to osteoarthritis aging naturally. As we age joints experience wear and tear. The content of water in cartilage grows, while the protein composition decreases and makes the cartilage fragile and prone to abrasion.
The body’s capacity to heal cartilage also decreases as we the aging process. The decline in regenerative capacity can be a significant factor in developing osteoarthritis especially in joints that bear weight, such as hips, knees and the spine.
Why aging matters:
- Cartilage shrinks and becomes less elastic.
- The mass of muscles and joint stability decline.
- The severity of inflammation can increase throughout the body.
While aging is inevitable, the impact it has on joint health is manageable through early intervention and lifestyle changes.
Joint Injury and Trauma
An injury to the joint can significantly increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis. Accidents, injuries or surgeries could cause damage to cartilage and alter the mechanics of joints. Even when healing from the injury the joint affected may not be as fluid as it did before, resulting in an increase in wear over time.
For example, athletes who have tear of the knee ligament (like ACL injuries) or meniscus injuries will be at a higher risk of developing knee osteoarthritis later life. In the same way, repeated stress on joints from certain jobs or sports may also cause the degeneration of joints.
Key examples:
- Fractures in joints
- Dislocations
- Meniscal tears, ligament injuries or meniscal injury
Proper and timely rehabilitation following injury is essential to reduce the chance of sustaining joint injuries.
Excess Body Weight
Obesity is among the risk factors that can be modified for osteoarthritis. The extra weight of your body puts extra mechanical strain on joints bearing weight, especially the hips, knees and the back of your lower. As time passes, this strain can lead to cartilage loss and cause joint instability.
The impact of obesity is more than mechanical burden. The fat tissue is metabolically active and produces inflammatory cytokines. These may affect joint tissues and cause degeneration in joints that do not bear weight, like the hands.
The role of obesity in
- Pressure is increased on knee and hip joint
- Systemic inflammation that is elevated
- Biomechanics of joints altered
Controlling weight with the combination of regular exercise and healthy eating is crucial in preventing and treating osteoarthritis.
Genetics and Family History
Genetics may play an important role in the progression of osteoarthritis. Studies suggest that certain people have genes which make them more vulnerable to joint malformations, thereby increasing the risk of developing early-onset osteoarthritis.
In the event that you’ve a family member suffering from osteoarthritis, particularly those who were diagnosed earlier in life it is possible that you are at a greater risk. Certain gene variants are associated with osteoarthritis in the hands and spine, and knees.
Genetic links can be a part of:
- Defects in cartilage or collagen structure
- Abnormal joint shapes (dysplasia)
- A greater sensitivity to joint stress
While you can’t alter your genetics but being aware of your family’s history can assist you in taking proactive steps earlier in the process.
Joint Malalignment and Structural Abnormalities
A faulty joint structure whether acquired or congenital could result in an uneven distribution of pressure and weight over a joint. This can accelerate wear on cartilage. For instance, those with bow knees or knock knees frequently encounter uneven load distribution on different areas of the knee. This can lead to a localized damage to cartilage.
Additionally, certain conditions such as hip dysplasia (abnormal development on the hip socket) and spinal scoliosis may cause osteoarthritis in these areas.
Structural issues are:
- Varus or valgus knee deformities
- The shoulder or hip dysplasia of the shoulder or hip
- Uneven limb length
The early detection of these problems can lead to corrective measures that could delay or stop osteoarthritis.
Repetitive Stress and Overuse
The repeated motions or the prolonged joint use, particularly during physically demanding work or sports, can lead to the development of osteoarthritis. This is especially prevalent in people working in farming, construction production lines, or are professional athletes.
The cumulative effect of overuse can cause microtraumas in the joint that eventually cause cartilage damage, inflammation and ultimately joint degeneration.
Exemples of risky actions:
- A lot of kneeling or squatting
- Heavy lifting
- Repetitive wrist or hand motions (typing or carving)
Regular rest and ergonomic adjustments are vital for those who participate in these activities to lessen the chance of sustaining joint strain.
Inflammatory Joint Diseases
While osteoarthritis is categorized as a non-inflammatory joint however, inflammation of a low grade is a factor in the progression of osteoarthritis. Additionally, those who suffer from other joint diseases such as Gout or rheumatoid arthritis could suffer from secondary osteoarthritis as a result of joint injuries caused by chronic inflammation.
The constant inflammation associated with these conditions may cause damage to the cartilage as well as bone resulting in an environment that encourages osteoarthritic changes.
Common links:
- Chronic joint inflammation
- Synovial fluid imbalance
- Autoimmune activity
Inflammation control early in these conditions will help to prevent the development of osteoarthritis.
Hormonal Factors
Hormonal fluctuations, particularly for women, can affect the progression of osteoarthritis. Postmenopausal women are more at chance of developing the disease particularly in hands and knees. Estrogen is thought to play a role in protecting in joint health and the decline of estrogen after menopausal age could result in the breakdown of cartilage.
Certain studies suggest that hormonal imbalances resulting from adrenal dysfunction or thyroid imbalances could influence joint health.
Possible hormonal effects:
- Estrogen deficiency
- Thyroid hormone irregularities
- Cortisol imbalance
Understanding hormonal health as a component of joint health overall is vital, particularly for women going through or following menopausal symptoms.
Conclusion
Osteoarthritis is a nebulous disease that has multiple causes, ranging from injuries and degeneration caused by age to genetic causes and lifestyle choices. Knowing the factors will be the very first move towards prevention and effective treatment.
While you aren’t able to control certain factors like genetics or age however, you can take preventive measures to ensure your joints are protected. Being healthy and avoiding stress from repetitive use as well as being physically active and taking care to address injuries quickly will significantly lower the risk for developing osteoarthritis.
The more knowledgeable you are on what causes osteoarthritis the better prepared you’ll become to improve your joint health in the long haul.
