Basketball. Volleyball. Soccer. Running. High-impact, pounding activity can take a toll on weight-bearing joints - with radiographic findings for patients in their 20s and 30s indicating early stages of osteoarthritis. Age is one of several major risk factors for osteoarthritis (OA).
Still, it isn’t only the athletic younger population that is at risk for early-onset osteoarthritis, as this is a disease in which gravity also plays a key role. So just daily standing and walking can result in wear and tear sooner rather than later.
Risk factors for osteoarthritis
Major contributing factors that can make it likelier you will develop osteoarthritis include:
Age
Osteoarthritis does not occur in everyone as they get older, but we are more vulnerable to experience it as we age. Most people with OA are at least 45 years old.
The likelihood of doctor-diagnosed arthritis is as follows, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Ages 18-44: 7.3%
- Ages 45-64: 30.3%
- Ages 65+: 49.7%.
Gender
Men are at higher risk for osteoarthritis in their younger years. After menopause, women have a higher incidence than men. The CDC notes that there is a higher age-adjusted prevalence of arthritis in women.
- Women: 23.5%
- Men: 18.1%
Obesity
Osteoarthritis is more frequently experienced by people who are carrying extra weight. “Research into the causes of osteoarthritis has shown that being obese puts excess strain on your joints,” notes the UK’s National Health Service, “particularly those that bear most of your weight, such as your knees and hips.”
Genetics
OA is also sometimes hereditary. Researchers have not been able to isolate one specific gene that raises susceptibility, so probably heightened risk is due to numerous genes.
Injury
If you experience a joint injury or if you undergo surgery, osteoarthritis may often develop. It can also arise when patients are overly aggressive with recovery, not giving tissues enough time to heal following injuries or surgeries.
3 early symptoms
How can you tell that you might be suffering from OA? Here are the primary early symptoms:
Pain/tenderness
Two different types of discomfort are associated with osteoarthritis. You may suffer from sharp pain when performing certain activities, such as opening a jar or climbing stairs. You may also experience tenderness at the joint, which means it becomes uncomfortable when you press it.
Stiffness
It’s normal to feel stiff when you get out of bed or have been sitting for long hours at the office. Those with OA must remember to remain active. “People with arthritis often start to feel better once they have warmed up their joints through some gentle exercise,” advises Healthline.
Lower flexibility
Another early symptom of osteoarthritis is a loss of one’s range of motion, such as difficulty bending the knees.
Preventative measures
Diet and exercise
Multiple studies clearly indicate the connection between weight loss and joint health – and not just on weight-bearing joints but because of the inflammatory process that excess weight triggers – which can even impact the joints in the hands. The research also indicates that obesity earlier in life might pose additional risks, heightening the importance of a proactive approach.
Viscosupplementation (Knee-flex 5 and VisCare-flex™)
This procedure lubricates and protects the knee joint with hyaluronic acid, a normal component of the cartilage, using image-guided technology to ensure the gel-like fluid is injected directly into the joint capsule. It received FDA approval in 1997, and has been approved for use in Europe for over 30 years.
Progeni-flex™
Flexogenix® believes in utilizing regenerative medicine before a patient is even symptomatic. “There is a notion among some people that at a certain age, one is relegated to the couch and television. We, however, believe that an active healthy lifestyle can be sustained.” And that’s the goal of our preventative approach – to halt progression.
Recovery
Are you suffering from osteoarthritis and in need of innovative nonsurgical treatment? Contact our professionals at Flexogenix and we will fully evaluate all of your options with a no-risk consultation.
