Osteoarthritis is a heterogeneous group of conditions that leads to joint symptoms and signs associated with defective articular cartilage and changes to the underlying bone and joint margins, medical experts say. It is an ailment that prompts hip replacement against which artificial devices were being reported as substandard and persuaded the (EU)European Union into creating a medical device registry.

Osteoarthritis commonly affects the joints of the fingers and hands as well as weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips and lumbar spine. Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, it is not a systemic condition, even in the case of multiple joint involvements.

Osteoarthritis is only present around the damaged joint(s), and is more likely to develop when there is a history of injury and unrecognized defects in the structure of the joint or poorly healed sporting injuries.

Moreover, osteoarthritis may be classified as either primary or secondary. Primary osteoarthritis occurs in the absence of any known predisposing factor, or aetiology. On the other hand, secondary osteoarthritis is the result of some underlying pre-existing condition or disorder, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases says.

Several disorders are well recognized as causes of secondary osteoarthritis, and they can be divided into four main categories: metabolic disorders which lead to joint damage; anatomic derangements; major trauma or surgery to a joint after trauma (e.g. a sports injury or meniscectomy); or an inflammatory disease (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis).

However, secondary osteoarthritis is generally the result of some underlying condition or disorder. Not everyone with these conditions will eventually develop osteoarthritis.

Thus, secondary osteoarthritis is likely to result from a combination of factors. For example, although significant stresses on the joints rarely induce cartilage breakdown, excess loads on abnormal joints may result in cartilage degeneration.

Researchers consider the evidence for three broad models of the aetiology of sports-related secondary osteoarthritis. The first of these considers osteoarthritis to result from excessive or repetitive participation in sport or physical activities. The second model proposes that sports participation itself does not directly lead to osteoarthritis.

Sports injuries such as major joint trauma and over-exertion injuries resulting from damage from repetitive use may lead to the development of osteoarthritis. The third aetiological model proposes that osteoarthritis develops as a result of surgical intervention and/or poor rehabilitation of a sports injury. Although they provide broad descriptions for the aetiology of osteoarthritis, there are other factors that increase risk that are not included in these models. For instance, obesity increases the risk of osteoarthritis, particularly at the knee.

There are certain types of occupations that involve repetitive work and also increase the risk of osteoarthritis. Results from family, twin and animal studies have shown that a hereditary link exists with osteoarthritis. There appears to be a stronger hereditary link when the condition affects more than two joints, compared with when it only affects one or two joints. Other factors that appear to increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis include increasing age, abnormal joint anatomy or limb alignment, joint instability and low estrogen levels (i.e. menopause/hysterectomy).

Some of these factors are congenital, and in others they are the result of ageing or injury which usually ends up with surgery such as hip implants which is the subject of several hip replacement recall.

URL REFERENCES:

niams.nih.gov

colorado.edu

arthritis.D106

womens-health-advice.com