Causes and predisposing factors for osteoarthritis

What causes osteoarthritis?

-due to excessive strain over prolonged periods of time,
-or due to other joint diseases, injury or deformity.

Primary osteoarthritis is commonly associated with ageing and general degeneration of joints.

Secondary osteoarthritis is generally the consequence of another disease or condition, such as repeated trauma or surgery to the affected joint, or abnormal joint structures from birth.
Some people may have developmental or congenital abnormalities of the joints that may cause early degeneration and subsequently cause arthritis

Predisposing factors
Unalterable
• Age
• Gender
• Race
• Genetics

Potentially Preventable
• Obesity
• Injury and joint trauma- in the knee from fractures and torn ligaments
and cartilage (menisci)
• Mechanical stress
• Deformity and malalignment in the hip, growth abnormalities or childhood
hip problems
• Vitamin deficiency
• Other diseases that affect the bones and joints.