Why Are Younger People Getting Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis, which most people experience with age, is the most common joint disorder, caused by “wear and tear” on the joint.
However, this condition is becoming increasingly more popular in the younger population. “With obesity being such a huge issue, we’re seeing osteoarthritis in much younger patients,” explains Greg DeLorenzo MD, a rheumatologist at Group Health. Being overweight puts more strain on your joints, especially in the in the hip, knee, ankle, and foot joints.
Osteoarthritis: Other Common Causes
Because this condition typically occurs as a natural part of aging, “Pretty much everyone gets it to some degree as they get older,” Dr. DeLorenzo says.
Before age 55, osteoarthritis generally occurs equally in women and men, but after age 55 it’s more common in women.
Other factors can lead to osteoarthritis, including:
- Family history (osteoarthritis tends to run in families)
- Fractures or other joint injuries can lead to this condition later in life. This includes injuries to the cartilage and ligaments in your joints.
- Jobs that involve kneeling or squatting for more than an hour a day put you at the highest risk. Jobs that involve lifting, climbing stairs, or excessive walking also put you at risk.
- Playing sports that involve direct impact on the joint (such as football), twisting (such as basketball or soccer), or throwing.
Treating Osteoarthritis with Weight Loss
A variety of supplements, like glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, can help with symptom relief, while non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve) help reduce inflammation and swelling.
However, Dr. DeLorenzo says the best thing you can do is lose weight. “Being overweight is one thing that’s definitely been shown to make osteoarthritis progress more quickly, particularly in the hips and knees,” he points out.
If you have osteoarthritis, you should focus on low-impact workouts that won’t stress your joints, like aquatic exercises, walking or tai chi.