Osteoarthritis: The Most Common Arthritis
OA affects 32.5 million Americans, 1 in 7 adults, yet remains under-recognized. The modifiable risks and four evidence-based first-line therapies.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting 32.5 million people in the US, roughly 1 in 7 adults. Despite its significant impact on quality of life, it remains an under-recognized chronic condition.
OA is associated with other chronic conditions such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. According to the CDC, over half of adults with OA are of working age (18 to 64). Symptoms include joint pain, stiffness, and swelling that limit daily tasks.
Modifiable risk factors include extra weight, which places more stress on weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips, and overuse or joint injury. Non-modifiable risk factors include gender, age, genetics, and race.
The CDC and Arthritis Foundation recommend four evidence-based, first-line interventions for OA: physical activity to reduce pain and improve function; achieving and maintaining a healthy weight; self-management education, which has been proven to reduce pain, fatigue, and depression; and injury prevention along with muscle strengthening and balance training.
And did you know osteoarthritis can affect younger adults too? It is not only a disease of older age, which is why healthy habits early on matter so much.
Dr. Maggie Cadet, MD