Osteoarthritis: Risk Factors and Treatment Options

Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is marked by the wearing down of the cartilages that cover bones in joints and prevent them from rubbing against each other. This ailment affects millions of people worldwide, though women, older people, and obese people are more likely to have osteoarthritis.

It is an excruciating condition that occurs when the cartilages that protect the ends of bones in joints wear off, leaving the bones unprotected. These cartilages protect bones from rubbing against each other and aid joint flexibility and stability. When they wear off due to old age or excess pressure over time, the joints become stiff, painful to touch, and difficult to move. In addition, osteoarthritis can also cause anxiety, loss of sleep, and depression.

Risk Factors for Osteoarthritis

Some medical conditions and lifestyle choices may worsen the symptoms of osteoarthritis. These factors include:

• Genetics: people from families with a history of osteoarthritis have increased chances of having the condition. If your parent or other relative has osteoarthritis, you should avoid other lifestyle factors that can increase your chances of developing the disease.
• Sex: according to researchers, women have more chances of developing osteoarthritis. The reason for this has, however, not been established. Some researchers suggest that women have broader hips, which put a lot of stress on the knee joints. Women also have less knee cartilage volume compared to men. Hormonal differences and a difference in the anatomy of the male knee and the female knee have also been named contributing factors.
• Obesity: the medical condition of having an excessive or abnormal fat accumulation causes many other medical conditions, including osteoarthritis. The excessive accumulation of fat places a lot of strain on joints, especially the knee joints.
• Joint Injuries: surgeries, injuries, and other traumas to the joints can erode the soft cartilages, leading to osteoarthritis.
• Active Lifestyle: people who stand, walk, run or perform rigorous physical activities frequently may develop osteoarthritis later in life due to the extreme stress that such activities can cause to joints.
• Age: like other types of arthritis, older people are more susceptible to osteoarthritis. The reason for this is the gradual wearing-off that their cartilages have faced over time.

Treatment Options for Osteoarthritis

Different traditional treatment options seek to manage the symptoms of osteoarthritis. They cannot reverse the damage done to the joint but can help reduce the symptoms of the disease. The procedures include medications, lubrication injections, and surgeries for realigning and replacing the bones in the joints. Physical and occupational therapy can also help patients manage the condition.

Traditional methods of treatment cannot reverse the damage that osteoarthritis causes to bones and cartilages. However, stem cell therapy has more promise in repairing tissue damage and alleviating pain caused by osteoarthritis. Phoenix stem cell treatment doctors can provide top-notch treatment for the condition using autologous or allogeneic stem cells. Get stem cell knee injections in Arizona for an effective and non-invasive outpatient procedure for osteoarthritis and say goodbye to joint pain and stiffness.