Causes And Prevention Of Osteoarthritis

The bones in the knee are like a universal joint with a cartilage between them which act as a cushion and prevent wear and tear. In individuals suffering from ‘Osteoarthritis’, this cartilage wears away. In worse condition, the cartilage disappears completely and the bones begin to rub against each other. The muscles and the ligaments around the joints begin to loosen and become weak.

This condition is found more in women than men and in almost all people 70 years and above.
Some factors causing this condition include:

Old age
Heredity
Overweight
Fractures and other injuries to joints in younger age
Use of joints extensively in sports or work

Some medical disorders which can lead to osteoarthritis are:

Hemophlia: This causes bleeding in the joints.
Avascular necrosis: Stoppage of blood supply to the joints.
Gout, pseudo-gout or other forms of arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis.

Some ways to keep avoid this disorder include:

Keep a check on weight: Excess weight lays undue strain on the knee joint. One should loose weight to prevent or delay occurrence of osteoarthritis.
Supplement diet with vitamins C and D and calcium: Calcium is a major component of human bone and essential for maintaining density of bones. Vitamin D improves the absorption of calcium in the body.
Strengthen joints and muscles by regular exercising. This should be in moderation.
Avoid injury while playing sports and games. Use the correct gear and equipment, bring in variation in the exercise routine, take breaks if an injury is suspected and take proper care on occurrence of any injury.

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