Thanks to its water content, cartilage can change shape to absorb impacts when it is compressed.
Without this cartilage, the bones underneath can rub together, causing pain and inflammation at the joint.
(2)
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Primary Osteoarthritis vs.
Secondary Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is classified as either primary or secondary.
It affects women more often than men, especially after menopausal age.
Most often, primary osteoarthritis affects the fingers, spine, hips, knees, and big toes.
Risk factors may vary depending on the joint involved.
Older age and being female are common risk factors for primary osteoarthritis.
In fact, most people with primary osteoarthritis have family members with the condition.
(2)
Risk factors for secondary osteoarthritis include:
How Is Osteoarthritis Diagnosed?
There is no single symptom or test that can diagnose osteoarthritis.
(8)
Your healthcare provider may conduct various other tests if he suspects you might have osteoarthritis.
Some research suggests that osteoarthritis symptoms and restlessness from a lack of activity can interfere with sleep.
In fact, about 70 percent of people with osteoarthritis have sleep issues.
(8,13)
The course of osteoarthritis varies between people and depends on the joints affected.
Complications of Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis can be debilitating.
If its not treated, your movement may become limited over time.
Complications of osteoarthritis can vary depending on the severity of the condition and the joint involved.
Potential complications and related disabilities include:
Research and Statistics: How Many People Have Osteoarthritis?
In the United States, nearly 27 million adults have clinical osteoarthritis, according to a study from 2008.
(29)
Hand osteoarthritis is also fairly common.
Comparatively, the lifetime risk of developing hip osteoarthritis is 25 percent.
(30)
Osteoarthritis vs. Rheumatoid Arthritis: What Is the Difference?
Several different types of arthritis exist.
Aside from osteoarthritis, other common types includerheumatoid arthritis (RA), gout, and lupus.
(11)
Osteoarthritis and RAaffect the body differently.
But in RA, the joint lining becomes inflamed and eventually erodes the joint.
Some Asian populations have a lower risk of osteoarthritis, according to the CDC.
(4,10)
Related Conditions and Causes of Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis can be primary or secondary.
Cartilage breaks down in both types; the difference between primary and secondary lies in the underlying cause.
Primary osteoarthritis is from wear and tear that develops over time, without one specific cause.
It is more common, and it affects women more often than men, especially after menopause.
(2,6,11)
Secondary osteoarthritis has a specific cause other than normal wear and tear.
Specific causes of secondary osteoarthritis, which are listed in the Primary vs.
Secondary Osteoarthritis section, include obesity, injury, and having other types of arthritis.
(2,3,7,8,9,11)
Resources We Trust
Samir Dalvi, MD, is a board-certified rheumatologist.
Joseph Bennington-Castro is a science writer based in Hawaii.
Osteoarthritis Symptoms and Diagnosis
Osteoarthritis Treatment and Symptom Management
