Osteoarthritis is the wear-related type of arthritis, where the smooth cartilage that cushions a joint slowly thins out. Several things raise your chances, including age, past injuries, body weight, and family history. Some of these you can change, and some you cannot.
What osteoarthritis is
Cartilage is the slick, rubbery layer that covers the ends of bones in a joint. It lets the bones glide smoothly. In osteoarthritis, that layer gradually breaks down, and the joint can become painful, stiff, and swollen.
The knee is one of the most commonly affected joints, along with the hips, hands, and spine. Because knees carry our body weight with every step, they are a good example of how risk factors play out.
Risk factors you cannot change
Some factors are simply part of who you are.
Knowing these does not mean arthritis is certain. It simply tells you where to pay a little more attention to your joints.
These include:
- Age. The risk goes up as we get older, since joints have had more years of use
- Family history. Genes can influence cartilage quality and joint shape
- Sex. Osteoarthritis, especially in the knee, is more common in women, particularly after midlife
- Joint shape. Being bow-legged or knock-kneed, or having a shallow hip socket, can load a joint unevenly
Risk factors you may be able to influence
Other factors are linked to habits and health, and small changes can help protect your joints.
No single factor decides the outcome. Two people with the same history can end up very differently, and that is why an individual evaluation matters more than any checklist.
They include:
- Extra body weight. Every step puts a load on the knees, and added weight increases that load. Even modest weight loss can ease the strain
- Past joint injury. A torn meniscus, ACL tear, or fracture near a joint can raise the risk of arthritis later, even years after it healed
- Repetitive stress. Jobs or sports that involve a lot of kneeling, squatting, or heavy lifting can wear on joints
- Muscle weakness. Strong thigh and hip muscles help absorb shock so the joint takes less
- Certain health conditions, such as diabetes or metabolic issues, may also play a role
Why injuries matter so much
Many patients are surprised to learn that a sports injury from their twenties or thirties can show up as arthritis decades later. An injured joint may not move quite the way it did, and the cartilage can wear faster as a result.
That is one reason it is worth getting joint injuries checked and treated properly. Early care of a meniscus tear or ligament injury is not just about the pain today. It is also about the health of the joint over time.
What you can do
You cannot control every risk factor, but you can act on several. Staying active with low-impact exercise like walking, cycling, or swimming keeps joints moving and muscles strong. Keeping a healthy weight, wearing supportive shoes, and warming up before sports also help.
If joint pain has already started, treatment options exist. Care can include activity changes, exercise, anti-inflammatory medicine, and injections. For knee arthritis, Able Orthopedic also offers genicular artery embolization, called GAE, for selected patients. You can read more on our osteoarthritis page.
Treatment is not one size fits all. Your doctor will look at your X-rays, your symptoms, and your goals before suggesting a plan, and you can start with the least invasive options first.
Early signs worth noticing
Osteoarthritis tends to creep in. You might first notice a stiff knee after sitting through a movie, aching on stairs, or a joint that feels sore after a long walk. Swelling, a grinding feeling, and a joint that seems to give out or lock can follow.
None of these mean you will end up with severe arthritis. They are simply good reasons for an evaluation, since earlier attention gives you more ways to protect the joint.
When to see an orthopedic doctor
See an orthopedic doctor if joint pain lasts more than a few weeks, you have morning stiffness that eases as you move, swelling that keeps coming back, or pain that limits walking and stairs. Seek urgent care if a joint becomes suddenly hot, red, and very painful with fever, or after a fall where you cannot bear weight. Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine in Forest Hills can evaluate your joints with an exam and X-rays in the office and talk through your options.
Common questions
Does cracking my knuckles or knees cause osteoarthritis?
There is no good evidence that harmless joint popping causes arthritis. Popping with pain or swelling is worth having checked.
Can young people get osteoarthritis?
Yes, especially after a joint injury. It is more common with age, but it can show up earlier.
Is exercise bad for arthritic joints?
Appropriate low-impact exercise usually helps. Your doctor can suggest what suits your joints.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for a visit with a doctor. If you think you have a medical emergency, call 911.