Osteoarthritis Of The Hip And Knee

Osteoarthritis affects cartilage, which is the tissue that cushions and protects the ends of bones in a joint. Osteoarthritis is a result of this cartilage wearing away over time. In extreme cases, the cartilage can completely wear away which leaves nothing to protect the bones in a joint and causes bone-on-bone contact.

This wearing away of cartliage may be due to excessive strain over prolonged periods of time or due to other joint diseases, injury or deformity.

Primary osteoarthritis is commonly associated with ageing and general degeneration of joints. However, secondary osteoarthritis is generally the consequence of another disease or condition such as: repeated trauma surgery to the affected joint or abnormal joint structures from birth.

 

Contributing factors to osteoarthritis of the hip:

There are certain factors that can predispose the hip to osteoarthritis. 

It tends to affect people as they get older and particularly affects joints that have to take a lot of stresses and strains which can be exacerbated by being overweight.

Other factors include:

• A previous fracture that involved the hip

• Growth abnormalities of the hip (such as a shallow socket) 

• Inactive lifestyle and obesity. Weight and diet has a direct link with arthritis. Being overweight also puts an additional burden on your hips, knees, ankles and feet

 

Contributing factors to osteoarthritis of the knee:

As with the hip, there are certain factors that can predispose the knee to osteoarthritis. Like osteoarthritis of the hip, osteoarthritis of the knee also tends to affect people as they get older and particularly affects joints that have to take a lot of stress and strain which can be exacerbated by being overweight.

Other factors include:

• Abnormalities of knee joint function resulting from fractures of the knee, torn cartilage and torn ligaments. This can lead to degeneration many years after the injury

• A mechanical abnormality resulting in excessive wear and tear on the knee joint

• Inactive lifestyle and obesity. Weight and diet has a direct link with arthritis. Being overweight also puts an additional burden on your hips, knees, ankles and feet