The Prevalence of Osteoarthritis in the US and Canada
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Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive, chronic disease that affects the joints of the body as the protective cartilage between the bone ends degrades (breaks down) over time. It is also called ‘degenerative joint disease’.
According to the statistics by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Osteoarthritis (OA) presently affects over 30 million people in the United States, while in Canada close to 5 million people suffer the disease – according to The Arthritis Society. |
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Let’s face it, there’s a high possibility that at some point in our life, we’ll develop Osteoarthritis (OA) - the most common form of arthritis, thus, of joint disease, and also the leading cause of chronic disability.
This degenerative "wear-and-tear" condition of the joint cartilage, also known as arthrosis, is caused by age, over exercise and stressed joints - and can affect any joint, but most commonly causes problems in the knees, hips and neck as well as the fingers and toes.
OA happens when the tough yet elastic cartilage that cushions the space between bones wears away, allowing them (bone ends) to rub painfully against each other as their protective padding has substantially diminished (thinned). As it damages the entire joint structure (chondrocytes, cartilage, subchondral bone, synovial fluid & membrane and articular capsule), it negatively affects us with the severe impact of its devastating symptoms - such as pain or aching, stiffness, swelling, decreased range of motion, as well as frequently resulting in joint dysfunction and disability - and because in Osteoarthtitis the pain is constant and long-lived, it becomes a condition that hampers the way we carry our day-to-day activities including athletic performance, and tends to worsen in the later years of life, thus diminishing our overall quality of life.
This degenerative "wear-and-tear" condition of the joint cartilage, also known as arthrosis, is caused by age, over exercise and stressed joints - and can affect any joint, but most commonly causes problems in the knees, hips and neck as well as the fingers and toes.
OA happens when the tough yet elastic cartilage that cushions the space between bones wears away, allowing them (bone ends) to rub painfully against each other as their protective padding has substantially diminished (thinned). As it damages the entire joint structure (chondrocytes, cartilage, subchondral bone, synovial fluid & membrane and articular capsule), it negatively affects us with the severe impact of its devastating symptoms - such as pain or aching, stiffness, swelling, decreased range of motion, as well as frequently resulting in joint dysfunction and disability - and because in Osteoarthtitis the pain is constant and long-lived, it becomes a condition that hampers the way we carry our day-to-day activities including athletic performance, and tends to worsen in the later years of life, thus diminishing our overall quality of life.
Mechanical stress on the joints is the main reason for the development of Osteoarthritis. Obesity is strongly linked to this condition, as it increases the weight that the joints are required to support. Particularly the knees and hips of obese individuals are affected.
Unhealthy Mix: Obesity and Osteoarthritis
Mingling excess weight and Osteoarthritis increases risk for health problems
The link between being overweight or obese and having Osteoarthritis (OA) in weight-bearing joints is fairly easy to understand, though it may be underestimated. Being just 10 pounds overweight puts an extra 30 to 60 pounds of pressure on the knees, for example.
“If you think about all the steps you take in a day, you can see why [being overweight or obese] would lead to premature damage in weight-bearing joints,” says Eric Matteson, MD, chair of the rheumatology division at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
But carrying extra bodyweight in OA does more than create a harmful load on joints. Excess fat also acts in non-mechanical ways to speed the destruction of cartilage and joints, says Peter van der Kraan, PhD, head of experimental rheumatology at Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Fat is chemically active and constantly releases inflammation-causing proteins and other biochemicals, such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1.
“If you think about all the steps you take in a day, you can see why [being overweight or obese] would lead to premature damage in weight-bearing joints,” says Eric Matteson, MD, chair of the rheumatology division at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
But carrying extra bodyweight in OA does more than create a harmful load on joints. Excess fat also acts in non-mechanical ways to speed the destruction of cartilage and joints, says Peter van der Kraan, PhD, head of experimental rheumatology at Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Fat is chemically active and constantly releases inflammation-causing proteins and other biochemicals, such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1.
Inflammation and Osteoarthritis (OA)
“These proteins travel through your whole body and make it a little inflamed everywhere, including in your joints,” he says. “This constant, low-grade inflammation in your body makes your joints more vulnerable to developing OA, not only in those that are directly loaded by your weight, but also in joints that are not loaded by weight, like the joints in your hands.”
Hand OA is about twice as common among obese people as it is in leaner individuals, he says. Being obese also increases the chances that, once you have OA in a joint or joints, you will develop more OA elsewhere. Obese people with OA in one knee, for example, are five times more likely than healthy-weight people to develop OA in the other knee.
Excess fat tissue not only creates a constant state of low-grade inflammation throughout the body, but, by placing a mechanical load on cartilage and bone, it “activates” those structures, prompting them to release inflammatory protiens and other factors that cause joint destruction, says van der Kraan.
Hand OA is about twice as common among obese people as it is in leaner individuals, he says. Being obese also increases the chances that, once you have OA in a joint or joints, you will develop more OA elsewhere. Obese people with OA in one knee, for example, are five times more likely than healthy-weight people to develop OA in the other knee.
Excess fat tissue not only creates a constant state of low-grade inflammation throughout the body, but, by placing a mechanical load on cartilage and bone, it “activates” those structures, prompting them to release inflammatory protiens and other factors that cause joint destruction, says van der Kraan.
Beyond Joints
Obesity-related damage in OA is not limited to joints. In a 2015 Rheumatology review, van der Kraan detailed the links among obesity, OA and metabolic syndrome. People with OA are almost three times more likely than those in the general population to have metabolic syndrome – a group of conditions, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, abnormal cholesterol levels, and excess fat around the waist – which is linked to increased risks of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. This association remained strong (though not as high) when the scientists controlled for obesity.
Some researchers, in fact, call the combination of obesity and metabolic syndrome “metabolic OA,” a distinct and dangerous subtype of OA. When these combine, it is a warning sign that should prompt a close look for heart disease, says Francis Berenbaum, MD, head of the department of rheumatology at the Pierre and Maries Curie University in Paris, France, who is studying age-related joint diseases and metabolism.
“When OA is linked to the metabolic syndrome it aggravates cardiovascular diseases linked to metabolism, such as atherosclerosis, probably through an increase in obesity-related inflammation,” he says. “Additionally, the risk for pain, worsening of OA and the need for [total joint replacement surgery] increase with each component of the metabolic syndrome a patient has.”
Some researchers, in fact, call the combination of obesity and metabolic syndrome “metabolic OA,” a distinct and dangerous subtype of OA. When these combine, it is a warning sign that should prompt a close look for heart disease, says Francis Berenbaum, MD, head of the department of rheumatology at the Pierre and Maries Curie University in Paris, France, who is studying age-related joint diseases and metabolism.
“When OA is linked to the metabolic syndrome it aggravates cardiovascular diseases linked to metabolism, such as atherosclerosis, probably through an increase in obesity-related inflammation,” he says. “Additionally, the risk for pain, worsening of OA and the need for [total joint replacement surgery] increase with each component of the metabolic syndrome a patient has.”
Fat is Disabling
Being overweight or obese makes the effects of OA more disabling, says John Batsis, MD, associate professor of medicine at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H.
In a 2015 Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology study, Dr. Batsis and his colleagues analyzed data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative, a study of about 5,000 people with knee OA. Compared with healthy-weight people with OA, they found that people with OA who were obese needed to take more medications, walked more slowly, were much less likely to be physically active and were at significantly higher risk after six years of developing disabilities that interfere with daily life.
“People who were overweight rather than obese had declines compared to those with a normal BMI [body mass index]; however, they were less than those observed in the group with obesity,” he says. “What this tells us is that we should encourage lifestyle modification to patients under the guidance of their clinician so they can safely and effectively lose weight to prevent long-term decline in physical function and risk of disability in the future.”
In a 2015 Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology study, Dr. Batsis and his colleagues analyzed data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative, a study of about 5,000 people with knee OA. Compared with healthy-weight people with OA, they found that people with OA who were obese needed to take more medications, walked more slowly, were much less likely to be physically active and were at significantly higher risk after six years of developing disabilities that interfere with daily life.
“People who were overweight rather than obese had declines compared to those with a normal BMI [body mass index]; however, they were less than those observed in the group with obesity,” he says. “What this tells us is that we should encourage lifestyle modification to patients under the guidance of their clinician so they can safely and effectively lose weight to prevent long-term decline in physical function and risk of disability in the future.”
Fortunately, losing excess weight reduces stress on the joints. According to one study (‘Weight loss reduces knee-joint loads in overweight and obese older adults with knee osteoarthritis’), each pound lost results in the equivalent of 4 pounds of stress off the knee.
This educational information section on Obesity and Osteoarthritis - courtesy of Arthritis Foundation
Osteoarthritis (OA) Also Affects Athletes
Though it can affect anyone, people who overwork their joints and have experienced previous joint injury are at an increased risk. The pain and inflammation can interfere with your day-to-day activities and bring even the most seasoned athlete to a screeching halt in their activity.
Risk factors for the disease include age, being overweight, family history and trauma, including sports injuries.
Our knees are usually the first joints to show their age through regular wear and tear, but add to that years of high-impact exercise like running, playing soccer and skiing, and you’re on the fast track to having to sacrifice the activities you love.
Osteoarthritis commonly affects the weight-bearing joints, with the knee often being the first joint to trouble Athletes and people who engage in high-impact exercise.
Risk factors for the disease include age, being overweight, family history and trauma, including sports injuries.
Our knees are usually the first joints to show their age through regular wear and tear, but add to that years of high-impact exercise like running, playing soccer and skiing, and you’re on the fast track to having to sacrifice the activities you love.
Osteoarthritis commonly affects the weight-bearing joints, with the knee often being the first joint to trouble Athletes and people who engage in high-impact exercise.
The most common signs and symptoms of OA include :
• joint pain after overuse or inactivity
• joint stiffness that gets better when you start to move again after a period of inactivity
• morning joint stiffness lasting for a short period of time
• joint stiffness that gets better when you start to move again after a period of inactivity
• morning joint stiffness lasting for a short period of time
The pain and stiffness from OA of the knee can lead to inactivity that causes the muscles in the leg to deteriorate, leading to a vicious circle of even more pain and inactivity. It can also cause a person to favor the other leg to offset their discomfort, which can lead to issues with the other knee and elsewhere throughout the body.
Studies show that athletes who train, practice, and play sports that range over the novice level, are more likely to develop Osteoarthritis than those individuals that exercise at a more moderate level.
Sports that increase the risk of Osteoarthritis in the knee are the ones that have higher knee load bearing and thus carry a high risk of this joint to be injured. Among these high-at-risk sports for knee OA are : soccer, elite-level long-distance running, football, skiing, competitive weightlifting and wrestling, among others. Choosing sports without these factors, such as swimming, tennis and cycling, increase the athletes’ chances of not developing Osteoarthritis, according to experts.
However, the participation in vigorous sports, such as basketball, track and field, and baseball can also result in various stressors and injuries to the joints, and performing sports activities during the adolescent years can increase the individual’s susceptibility to the disease.
Dr. Klaus Siebenrock of the University of Bern in Switzerland states that Osteoarthritis of the hip is prevalent among sports enthusiasts, even at the high-school level. The development of Osteoarthritis is linked to high intensity training and the physical load on the joints. There’s a high possibility that young athletes face a battle with OA as they age, as most individuals who develop Osteoarthritis are older adults.
Knee injuries, for example, particularly those involving damage to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), a major ligament in the knee, are a leading cause of Osteoarthritis in later life. Injuries often occur because of a biomechanical problem – whether weakness, restriction or stiffness that stops the body from moving smoothly.
Once a sports joint injury has occurred, allowing sufficient time for the body to recover is crucial. There’s a very normal desire to get back to it as quickly as possible, but Osteoarthritis is so often the result of starting to move on a joint too early,
Therefore, it is crucial for young individuals that compete in high-intensity sports – to think realistically about the consequences of sports on OA. This is not to say that the young athlete should bow out of their sport. This just means that they should be well aware of the dangers; they should take all injuries seriously, report them, and allow adequate healing time. If they are in any pain, it needs to be evaluated immediately. Osteoarthritis is better managed from the start, even as a preventative measure.
Experts agree that activity has a valuable role once the injury starts to heal. Of all the tissues affected by arthritis – bones, cartilage, muscles and ligaments – muscles are the easiest to strengthen. Regular physical activity and exercise can protect against further joint damage.
Accordingly, while recovering from a sports joint injury – we recommend the daily intake of a comprehensive functional food formulation such as our Mobile and Flexible All-In-One Joint Health Formula TM nutritional supplement, created to provide the most complete and highest-quality proteinic nourishment to the entire musculoskeletal system.
Studies show that athletes who train, practice, and play sports that range over the novice level, are more likely to develop Osteoarthritis than those individuals that exercise at a more moderate level.
Sports that increase the risk of Osteoarthritis in the knee are the ones that have higher knee load bearing and thus carry a high risk of this joint to be injured. Among these high-at-risk sports for knee OA are : soccer, elite-level long-distance running, football, skiing, competitive weightlifting and wrestling, among others. Choosing sports without these factors, such as swimming, tennis and cycling, increase the athletes’ chances of not developing Osteoarthritis, according to experts.
However, the participation in vigorous sports, such as basketball, track and field, and baseball can also result in various stressors and injuries to the joints, and performing sports activities during the adolescent years can increase the individual’s susceptibility to the disease.
Dr. Klaus Siebenrock of the University of Bern in Switzerland states that Osteoarthritis of the hip is prevalent among sports enthusiasts, even at the high-school level. The development of Osteoarthritis is linked to high intensity training and the physical load on the joints. There’s a high possibility that young athletes face a battle with OA as they age, as most individuals who develop Osteoarthritis are older adults.
Knee injuries, for example, particularly those involving damage to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), a major ligament in the knee, are a leading cause of Osteoarthritis in later life. Injuries often occur because of a biomechanical problem – whether weakness, restriction or stiffness that stops the body from moving smoothly.
Once a sports joint injury has occurred, allowing sufficient time for the body to recover is crucial. There’s a very normal desire to get back to it as quickly as possible, but Osteoarthritis is so often the result of starting to move on a joint too early,
Therefore, it is crucial for young individuals that compete in high-intensity sports – to think realistically about the consequences of sports on OA. This is not to say that the young athlete should bow out of their sport. This just means that they should be well aware of the dangers; they should take all injuries seriously, report them, and allow adequate healing time. If they are in any pain, it needs to be evaluated immediately. Osteoarthritis is better managed from the start, even as a preventative measure.
Experts agree that activity has a valuable role once the injury starts to heal. Of all the tissues affected by arthritis – bones, cartilage, muscles and ligaments – muscles are the easiest to strengthen. Regular physical activity and exercise can protect against further joint damage.
Accordingly, while recovering from a sports joint injury – we recommend the daily intake of a comprehensive functional food formulation such as our Mobile and Flexible All-In-One Joint Health Formula TM nutritional supplement, created to provide the most complete and highest-quality proteinic nourishment to the entire musculoskeletal system.