Arthritis Causes

Arthritis causes depend on the type of arthritis we are talking about. There are many types of arthritis, but we will be concerned here with osteoarthritis as it is the primary and most common arthritis that comes with age. It can also be called the degenerative joint disease because it is associated with a breakdown of cartilage in the joints.

It can happen in almost any joint but usually occurs in the weight-bearing joints of the hips, knees, and spine. It can also affect the fingers, hands, and big toe. It can affect other joints if they have been broken or injured in the past or if excessive strain and stress have been placed on the joint.

The cartilage in our joints is a firm, rubbery material that covers the ends of bones. It is there to reduce friction when we move our joints. It also serves as a kind of shock absorber as it can change shape when pressed together.

Arthritis causes the cartilage in a joint to become stiff and lose its elasticity which makes it more susceptible to damage. Over time the cartilage may wear away in some areas, which reduces its ability to act as a shock absorber. As the cartilage deteriorates, tendons and ligaments stretch and cause pain. As the damage gets worse the bones may rub against each other, causing, even more, problems in the joint.

What Causes Arthritis in the First Place!

Obesity: Having extra weight puts a strain on all the joints of the body, especially the ones that bear most of our weight like our knees, hips and spine.
Over-use: Any joint that gets a lot of use such as using our fingers and thumbs, bending our knees and kneeling to do gardening or other chores.

Injury: Like injuring a knee, or shoulder performing a sport, breaking a bone or any type of sprain like an ankle sprain, leave us open to developing arthritis in that joint.
Heredity: People born with the inherited weakness in their joints may be more susceptible to arthritis than others.

Occupational Hazards: People whose jobs are physically demanding such as factory workers, construction workers or others like these, may be more prone to arthritis.
Illness: Joint infections and gout also can leave people open to developing arthritis.