News & Updates

Causes of OA

OA is a "wear and tear" disease that generally develops slowly over time. It usually starts appearing in middle-aged and older adults however, it can occur at any age following an injury to the joint, or from a disorder. There isn't a single cause of OA, but there are many risk factors:

Age: The chance of developing osteoarthritis increases as you age, but it is not inevitable.

Obesity: Increased body weight is a serious factor in the development of OA. For every extra pound you gain, you put four additional pounds of stress on your knees.

Injury or overuse: Athletes and people who have active jobs are at higher risk of developing OA. This would include floor layers, construction workers, jackhammer operators and farmers as examples.

Genetics: Recent research suggests that OA is partially caused by your genes.

Muscle weakness: When the muscles surrounding your knee are weak, the bones take on more stress, which increases the risk of developing OA.

Other diseases: Rheumatoid arthritis, hemochromatosis (having too much iron) and acromegaly (excessive growth hormone) increase your risk of developing OA.

Diagnosing Osteoarthritis

To determine if your knee pain is OA, you need a simple weight-bearing x-ray, a medical history and a physical examination by a physician. Time-consuming and costly diagnostic procedures are not required. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important in successfully managing the disease and your pain.