Osteoarthritis risk factors include obesity (the strongest modifiable factor), joint trauma, muscle weakness, age (more common/severe in elderly populations), gender, hormones, metabolic disorders, and genetics. The first three factors increase mechanical stress on cartilage.
What are the risk factors associated with developing osteoarthritis disease?
- Obesity
- joint trauma
- muscle weakness
- These three factors all increase the mechanical forces to which the articular cartilage is subjected.
- Gender
- hormones
- metabolic disorders
- genetics
- Elderly populations are affected by osteoarthritis more frequently and more severely than younger populations.
- Obesity is the strongest modifiable risk factor.
