It is known as one of the more prevalent musculoskeletal disorders “Epidemiological studies estimate around 43 million affected patients in the United States alone and about 15% of the world population. It is the leading cause of activity limitation and absenteeism among working-age adults and is associated with a significant decline in function among older individuals.” (Carol Davila 2014). In the beginning, Osteoarthritis had been known to be a disease of articular cartilage, but as research progressed it indicated that the condition involved the entire joint. The deprived of articular cartilage had been viewed to be the key revision, but a joining of cellular changes and biomechanical pressure causes subordinate …show more content…
The sex hormone may have some involvement, but no hormonal treatment given after menopause has been a defense against Osteoarthritis. Heredity has also been a close attachment to the disease. Numerous studies have been put into place showing that there is a family resemblance for osteoarthritis of the fingers or knees. For example, a woman is at high risks having osteoarthritis of the fingers when her paternal mother or maternal or paternal aunt has had or has the disease. Although the multifactorial nature of osteoarthritis (OA) is well recognized, genetic factors have been found to be strong determinants of the disease. Evidence of a genetic influence of OA comes from a number of sources, including epidemiological studies of family history and family clustering, twin studies, and exploration of rare genetic disorders. (Tim D. Spector, MD, MSc, & Alex J. MacGregor, MD, MSc FRCP