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Causes of Osteoarthritis
List of causes of Osteoarthritis
Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Osteoarthritis) that could possibly cause Osteoarthritis includes:
- Joint injury
- Gout
- Lupus
- Viral hepatitis
More causes: see full list of causes for Osteoarthritis
Causes of Osteoarthritis (Diseases Database):
The follow list shows some of the possible medical causes of Osteoarthritis that are listed by the Diseases Database:
Source: Diseases DatabaseCauses of Osteoarthritis: Online Medical Books
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the causes of Osteoarthritis.
Psoriatic arthritis:
Causes
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Evidence suggests that predisposition to psoriatic arthritis is hereditary; 20% to 50% of patients are human leukocyte antigen-B27 positive. However, onset is usually precipitated by streptococcal infection or trauma.
About 5% to 7% of patients with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis. It occurs in up to 1% of the general population.
Rheumatoid arthritis:
Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
RA occurs worldwide, striking three times more females than males. Although it can occur at any age, it begins most often between ages 25 and 55. This disease affects more than 7 million people in the United States alone.
What causes the chronic inflammation characteristic of RA isn’t known, but various theories point to infectious, genetic, and endocrine factors. Currently, it’s believed that a genetically susceptible individual develops abnormal or altered immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies when exposed to an antigen. This altered IgG antibody isn’t recognized as “self,” and the individual forms an antibody against it — an antibody known as RF. By aggregating into complexes, RF generates inflammation. Eventually, cartilage damage by inflammation triggers additional immune responses, including activation of complement. This in turn attracts polymorphonuclear leukocytes and stimulates release of inflammatory mediators, which enhance joint destruction.
Much more is known about the pathogenesis of RA than about its causes. If unarrested, the inflammatory process within the joints occurs in four stages. First, synovitis develops from congestion and edema of the synovial membrane and joint capsule. Formation of pannus — thickened layers of granulation tissue — marks the second stage’s onset. Pannus covers and invades cartilage and eventually destroys the joint capsule and bone. Progression to the third stage is characterized by fibrous ankylosis — fibrous invasion of the pannus and scar formation that occludes the joint space. Bone atrophy and malalignment cause visible deformities and disrupt the articulation of opposing bones, causing muscle atrophy and imbalance and, possibly, partial dislocations or subluxations. In the fourth stage, fibrous tissue calcifies, resulting in bony ankylosis and total immobility.
Osteoarthritis:
Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Studies indicate that osteoarthritis is acquired and probably results from a combination of metabolic, genetic, chemical, and mechanical factors. Secondary osteoarthritis usually follows an identifiable predisposing event — most commonly trauma, congenital deformity, or obesity — and leads to degenerative changes.
Osteoarthritis may first appear between ages 30 and 40, and is present in almost everyone by age 70. Before age 55, it affects men and women equally, but after age 55 the incidence is higher in women.
The cause of JRA remains puzzling. Research continues to test several theories, such as those linking the disease to genetic factors or to an abnormal immune response. Viral or bacterial (particularly streptococcal) infection, trauma, and emotional stress may be precipitating factors, but their relationship to JRA remains unclear.
Considered the major chronic rheumatic disorder of childhood, JRA affects an estimated 150,000 to 250,000 children in the United States; overall incidence is twice as high in females, with variation among the types of JRA.
Evidence suggests that predisposition to psoriatic arthritis is hereditary; 20% to 50% of patients are human leukocyte antigen-B27-positive. However, its onset may be precipitated by streptococcal infection or trauma.
What causes the chronic inflammation characteristic of RA isn’t known. One theory states that abnormal immune activation (occurring in a genetically susceptible individual) leads to inflammation, complement activation, and cell proliferation within joints and tendon sheaths. Although no single environmental factor has been found to be a consistent and reproducible cause of this response, infection (viral or bacterial), hormonal factors, and lifestyle factors may all influence disease onset.
Some RA patients develop an immunoglobulin (Ig) M antibody against their body’s own IgG, which is called RF. Increased production of this antibody may also play a role in genetic inflammation.
Much more is known about the pathogenesis of RA than about its causes. If unarrested, the inflammatory process within the joints occurs in four stages.
In the first stage, synovitis develops from congestion and edema of the synovial membrane and joint capsule. Infiltration by lymphocytes, macro-phages, and neutrophils perpetuates the local inflammatory response. These cells, as well as fibroblast-like synovial cells, produce enzymes that help to degrade bone and cartilage.
Formation of pannus — thickened layers of granulation tissue — marks the onset of the second stage. Pannus covers and invades cartilage and eventually destroys the joint capsule and bone.
Progression to the third stage is characterized by fibrous ankylosis — fibrous invasion of the pannus and scar formation that occludes the joint space. Bone atrophy and malalignment cause visible deformities and disrupt the articulation of opposing bones, causing muscle atrophy and imbalance and, possibly, partial dislocations or subluxations.
In the fourth stage, fibrous tissue calcifies, resulting in bony ankylosis and total immobility.
Osteoarthritis is widespread, occurring equally in both sexes until age 55. After age 55, incidence is higher in women. Incidence is after age 40; its earliest symptoms generally begin in middle age and may progress with advancing age.
The degree of disability depends on the site and severity of involvement; it can range from minor limitation of the fingers to severe disability in persons with hip or knee involvement. The rate of progression varies, and joints may remain stable for years in an early stage of deterioration.
Primary osteoarthritis, a normal part of aging, results from many things, including metabolic, genetic, chemical, and mechanical factors. Secondary osteoarthritis usually follows an identifiable predisposing event — most commonly trauma, congenital deformity, or obesity — and leads to degenerative changes.
JRA is thought to be an autoimmune disorder. Research has linked causation to genetic and immune factors. Viral or bacterial (particularly streptococcal) infection, trauma, and emotional stress have been identified as precipitating factors.
Other conditions that might have
Osteoarthritis as a complication may,
potentially, be an underlying cause of Osteoarthritis.
Our database lists the following as having
Osteoarthritis as a complication of that condition:
Conditions listing Osteoarthritis
as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Osteoarthritis.
Our database lists the following as having
Osteoarthritis as a symptom of that condition:
Causes: Osteoarthritis:
Damage or wear-and-tear on cartilage in the joints. May be sped up by injury, abnormality or other type of arthritis.
The following medical news items are relevant to causes of Osteoarthritis:
As with all medical conditions,
there may be many causal factors.
Further relevant information on causes of Osteoarthritis may be found in:
Next articles: Tools & Services:
Medical Articles:
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis:
Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Psoriatic arthritis:
Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)
Rheumatoid arthritis:
Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)
Pathogenesis
Osteoarthritis:
Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis:
Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)
Osteoarthritis as a complication of other conditions:
Osteoarthritis as a symptom:
What causes Osteoarthritis?
Article excerpts about the
causes of Osteoarthritis:
Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that mostly affects the
cartilage (KAR-til-uj). Cartilage is the slippery tissue that covers the
ends of bones in a joint. Healthy cartilage allows bones to glide over
one another. It also absorbs energy from the shock of physical movement.
In osteoarthritis, the surface layer of cartilage breaks down and wears
away. This allows bones under the cartilage to rub together, causing
pain, swelling, and loss of motion of the joint. Over time, the joint
may lose its normal shape. Also, bone spurs--small growths called
osteophytes--may grow on the edges of the joint. Bits of bone or
cartilage can break off and float inside the joint space. This causes
more pain and damage.
(Source: excerpt from Handout on Health Osteoarthritis: NIAMS)
Medical news summaries relating to Osteoarthritis:
Related information on causes of Osteoarthritis:
» Next page: Risk Factors for Osteoarthritis
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