Arthritis, Degenerative

Basics

Description

  • Degenerative arthritis or osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common progressive joint disease, with estimated prevalence of 54 million cases in the US as of 2022 per NIHS annual survey with CDC
  • This number is expected to continue increasing due to aging population and obesity
  • Found almost exclusively in the elderly

Etiology

  • Pathophysiology thought to be multifactorial, with main mechanisms below
  • Repetitive stress to synovial joints with aging
  • May be seen in younger patients secondary to joint trauma
  • Articular cartilage destruction:
    • Reactive changes in joint margin bone and subchondral sclerosis
  • Risk factors include age, obesity, trauma, genetics, and environment

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