Topic Overview
Osteoarthritis is a common
cartilage condition and a major cause of pain and
disability in older adults. Primary osteoarthritis
results from changes over time often linked to things such as age, obesity, and
a family history of osteoarthritis. Secondary
osteoarthritis is caused by other conditions that damage cartilage.
Types of osteoarthritis| Primary osteoarthritis | Secondary osteoarthritis |
|---|
| It is usually limited to one or a small number of
joints. | It may be limited to a small number of joints if
injury-related, or it may be in joints throughout body if disease-related. |
It is seen in spine, hips, knees, thumbs, and top
two sets of finger joints. | It is seen in hips, ankles, shoulders, wrists, and
the middle set of finger joints. |
| No specific inflammatory or metabolic condition
known to be associated with arthritis is present. | Conditions that cause damage to cartilage may be
present, such as:
- Inherited diseases of iron, calcium, or
copper storage, such as
hemochromatosis,
hyperparathyroidism, or
Wilson's disease.
- Neurologic disorders
that result in the loss of nerve function.
- Congenital diseases that
cause an imbalance in the joints.
- Bone disorders that affect
joints.
|
| There is no history of specific injury or
trauma. | There may be a history of injury to joints, such as
fractures and tears, or history of trauma to joints, such as repetitive heavy
lifting or kneeling. |
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
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| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
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| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology |
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| Last Revised | April 8, 2011 |
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