Causes of Osteroarthritis

Genetics
Osteroarthritis can be caused by
our genes as the whole genes
play a significant role in
predisposing us to
osteroarthritis. Though, only
three genes are linked to
osteroarthritis for now by
scientist, it is important to know
that each individual gene plays a
vital role in osteroarthritis
development and susceptibility.
Discovering more osteroarthritis
causing genes can help
researchers to indentify new
treatments and can be used to
predict osteroarthritis
susceptibility.
Post traumatic osteroarthritis
This can also be referred to as
post tragedy osteroarthritis. This
usually occur after many years
victim has gone through a
trauma or tragedy such as
accident or severe injury
sustained during sport or
recreational activities such as
football, skiing,racing etc.
Medical researcher found out
that about 50 percent of patients
that have traumatic injury to
their knee develop osteroarthritis
about 10 to 20 years after the
incident.
That is why you see old people
complaining of severe pain on
the joint where they had
sustained injury some 20 years
back especially through vehicle
accident or a bad fall. I have quite
number of such victims around
me and it is painful to be
suffering from an injury
sustained so many years ago.
One of the reasons people suffer
this pain at old age is that there
will be some chemical and
biological changes in the joint
overtime and the old body can't
keep up with the natural
reparative process because of
the many changes that occurs in
response to old age.
When we sustain an injury, some
chemical reactions or changes
occur immediately after the
trauma and scientist are looking
for ways to monitor these
changes so that it won't lead to
osteroarthritis. With age our
body usually experience a lot of
cartilage loss, altering of cell
regulation, increased bone cell
turnover, inflammation and
degeneration. All these are
caused by the release of various
protein and oxygen-free radicals.
Research shows that the type of
injury sustained and grade of
treatment received, the acquired
body mass of the victim, age
(people who sustain injury at old
age are most susceptible) and
gender(women are more at risk)
are some of the risk factors for
osteroarthritis.