Osteoarthritis affects millions of older adults globally. Knee, hip, hand, and foot joints are commonly affected. It causes knee pain and stiffness, but it can also cause severe disability and loss of quality of life, especially in the elderly. Gradually, it is becoming clear that osteoarthritis is not just a mechanical or age-related condition. Certain factors accelerate the disease, such as diet, trauma, and other comorbidities.

Although older adults usually suffer from osteoarthritis, young people can also get it. It may be familial or acquired (injury, infection, overweight).

The following common risk factors increase the chance of developing arthritis and the severity of the disease.

• Osteoarthritis is directly connected to wear and tear on joints. More than one-third of adults over the age of 65 have symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA). The ability of cartilage to heal decreases as the persons get older.

• Weight increases the pressure on all joints, especially the knees. Every pound increase in weight adds three to four pounds to the knee.

• Genetic mutations make a person more likely to develop osteoarthritis. It may be due to inherited abnormalities in the shape of the bone that surrounds the joints.

• Women aged 55 years and older are more likely than men to develop osteoarthritis.

• People with jobs that need a lot of stress on joints, such as kneeling, squatting or lifting heavy weights (55 pounds), are more likely to develop osteoarthritis because of constant pressure on joints.

• Athletes involved in soccer, tennis or long-distance running may be at higher risk of developing knee osteoarthritis in later life.

• For people with rheumatoid arthritis, certain metabolic disorders such as an iron overload or excess growth hormone are at a higher risk of osteoarthritis.

Changing your lifestyle can help improve joint health and prevent osteoarthritis.

• Regular moderate exercise strengthens joints and can decrease the risk of osteoarthritis.   It can help maintain healthy joints, reduce pain and fatigue, relieve joint stiffness, and increase muscle and bone strength. Excess weight puts extra stress on joints, speeding the deterioration of joint cartilage. Losing weight also helps to reduce pain and improve symptoms.

• After a prolonged sitting, journey or work, the joints involved become swollen or achy, rest them and try to avoid using a swollen joint for at least 12-24 hours which will reduce the risk of developing  OA in future.

• High glucose levels can speed up the formation of molecules that make cartilage stiff; it also triggers inflammation that can accelerate cartilage damage. Keeping diabetes under control can help to prevent OA.

• Food heated in very high temperature, grilled or even pasteurised a toxin known as advanced glycation end product appears which can damage specific protein enhancing damage to the tissue.

There is no such cure to osteoarthritis except maintaining lifestyle modifications.

The writer is a Professor of Orthopedics. E-mail: drghoshjc@gmail.com