Factors predisposing to Osteoarthritis(OA)

Obesity: Predicts later risk of radiological and symptomatic OA of the hip and hand in population studies
Heredity: Familial tendency to develop nodal and generalized OA
Gender: Polyarticular OA is more common in women; a higher prevalence after the menopause suggests a role for sex hormones
Hypermobility : Increased range of joint motion and reduced stability lead to OA
Osteoporosis: There is a reduced risk of OA
Diseases
- Pre-existing joint damage:
  1. Rheumatoid arthritis
  2. Gout
  3. Spondyloarthritis
  4. Septic arthritis
  5. Paget’s disease
  6. Avascular necrosis
  7. corticosteroid therapy
- Metabolic disease:
  1. Chondrocalcinosis
  2. Hereditary haemochromatosis
  3. Acromegaly
- Systemic diseases:
  1. Haemophilia – recurrent haemarthrosis
  2. Haemoglobinopathies, e.g. sickle cell disease
  3. Neuropathies

Trauma: A fracture through any joint. Meniscal and cruciate ligament tears cause OA of the knee
Congenital joint dysplasia: Alters joint biomechanics and leads to OA. Mild acetabular dysplasia is common and leads to earlier onset of hip OA
Joint congruity: Congenital dislocation of the hip or a
slipped femoral epiphysis or Perthes’ disease; osteonecrosis of the femoral head in children and adolescents causes early-onset OA
Occupation: Miners develop OA of the hip, knee and shoulder, cotton workers OA of the hand, and farmers OA of the hip
Sport: Repetitive use and injury in some sports causes a high incidence of lower-limb OA.

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