Back to Fact and Fiction about Osteoarthritis

Myth. For some, arthritis is in the genes; if one of your parents has osteoarthritis -- particularly in the hands -- chances are good you will, too.
For the rest of us, the most common causes of OA can point us toward a path of prevention:
-Obesity plays a huge role in raising your risks of developing osteoarthritis, especially for osteoarthritis of the knee. That's because the heavier you are, the more stress you put on your joints.  For each 1-pound increase in weight, the force across the knee joint increases by 2 -3 pounds. To lower your chances of getting OA, lose weight if you're overweight, and then maintain a healthy weight when you get there.
-Overuse or injury also raises your risk of developing OA. According to the Arthritis Foundation, athletes and people whose jobs require repetitive motion have a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis because of joint stress and injury. High-intensity sports such as running, which directly impact joints, seem to increase the risk of osteoarthritis. The key to prevention? Avoid injuries, and modify movements so your joints are stressed less. For high-impact sports, gradually increase your training schedule and avoid high-impact activities if your joints are injured.
-Muscle weakness is another risk factor for OA. In particular, some studies show that weakness of the muscles surrounding the knee (quadriceps) can raise your risks of injury and knee osteoarthritis. Other types of arthritis and conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis, can also increase your chances of developing OA.

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