United States Department of Veterans Affairs
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Overton Brooks VA Medical Center | Shreveport  LA
Arthritis Facts

Image of knee joint with arthritis presentDid you know?

• About 1 in 6 adults has some form of arthritis
• It affects all races and ethnic groups
• Arthritis is more common among women than men
• The onset is gradual and usually begins after age 40
• Nearly 2/3 of adults over the age of 65 have arthritis
• Arthritis limits every day activities for more than 16 million Americans and is the leading cause of disability in US
• Severity varies from person to person and from day to day
• The joints most commonly affected are the knees, hips, hands and spine

 

 

Arthritis Risk Factors

WHAT YOU CAN’T CHANGE

  • Age. The risk for arthritis increases with age.
  • Gender. Arthritis is more common among women than men.
  • Genes. There are certain genes that are associated with higher risk arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

WHAT YOU CAN CHANGE

  • Weight. Being overweight puts you at risk to develop can knee osteoarthritis. It can also play a role in the progression.
  • Injuries. Injuries to your joints, such as sports injuries, can put you at risk.
  • Repeated knee bending. Jobs that involve repetitive knee bending are associated with osteoarthritis of knee.
  • Infection. An infection of a joint can potentially cause arthritis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What you can do: Watch your weight. If you are overweight, talk with your health care team about the VA’s weight management program MOVE!. Talk with your health care team. If you are experiencing pain, tenderness and/or swelling in 1 or more joints; stiffness that lasts at least 1 hour in early morning; constant or recurring pain/tenderness in a joint or difficulty using or moving a joint normally, let them know. Protect your joints. Joint injury can lead to osteoarthritis.

 

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