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Risk Factors and Common Interventions for OA
There are many factors that can increase a person’s chance of developing OA. Among those factors are joint overuse,
injury, obesity, heredity and age.
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Joint Overuse.
Overuse of joints increases the risk of developing OA, particularly in people with jobs
that require repeated bending of the knees or hips. Individuals with occupations that include a high
level of repetitive joint stress, such as construction, farming, ranching and other manual labor jobs,
tend to be at greater risk for developing OA.
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Injury.
People with joint injuries due to sports, work-related activity, or accidents may be at increased
risk of developing OA. In addition, people who have had a severe back injury may be predisposed
to develop osteoarthritis of the spine. People who have had a broken bone near a joint are prone to
develop
osteoarthritis in that joint.
Obesity.
Maintaining an ideal weight or losing excess weight may help prevent osteoarthritis of the
knees, hips, and back.
Heredity.
Some people have an inherited defect in one of the genes responsible for making cartilage. This can cause
defective cartilage and lead to more rapid deterioration of joints. People born with joint abnormalities are more likely to
develop osteoarthritis, and those born with an abnormality of the spine (e.g., scoliosis) have an increased likelihood of
developing osteoarthritis of the spine.
Age.
Although age is a risk factor, research has shown that OA is not an inevitable part of aging.
People of any race or ethnicity can be affected by osteoarthritis; however, studies suggest that African American and
Hispanic/Latino Americans may be at risk for poorer outcomes (such as pain and disability), and are less likely to
undergo treatment compared to Caucasian Americans.
Treatment of OA focuses on decreasing pain and improving joint
movement.
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Lifestyle Modification as Treatment.
Weight control may be the primary method for decreasing the pain and impaired
function associated with OA. Achieving an optimal body weight can reduce physical stress on weight-bearing joints.
Physical activity is another key method which can improve joint movement and strengthen the muscles that surround the
joints. Exercises that create less stress on the joints, such as swimming, are recommended.
Therapies and Interventions for OA. Depending on the discomfort and severity, arthritis may be managed by a variety
of methods. To alleviate pain and inflammation, hot and cold compresses, or soaking in a warm bath may be effective.
Medication, such as analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents may be prescribed to reduce pain and swelling in the joints.
Medication may be prescription pills, an injection, or topical treatment.
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Some evidence supports the effective use of
supplements, such as glucosamine and chondroitin, which may relieve pain in some people with osteoarthritis, especially
in the knee. Acupuncture may also be an effective pain management option for some. When the above less invasive
treatment options have not proven to be effective, some people elect to have surgery, such as joint replacement, to repair
damaged joints.
Musculoskeletal Disparities
The word “populations” can be defined by race or ethnicity, gender, education or income, disability, geographic location,
or sexual orientation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines health disparities as “preventable
differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal health that are experienced by
socially disadvantaged populations.”
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As such, health disparities are directly related to the historical and current unequal distribution of social, political, economic,
and environmental resources.
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Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders
Annually, the CDC examines the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and its effects among US adults across several
racial and ethnic groups through the National Health Interview Survey, conducted by the National Center for Health
Statistics. Their most recent study showed a prevalence of 24% in Caucasian Americans, 19% in African Americans and