“Osteoarthritis is also known as Degenerative Joint Disease, hypertrophic arthritis, osteoarthritis, or senescent arthritis. It is a nonsystemic, noninflammatory disorder that gradually causes bones and joints to degenerate” (Barbara Lauritsen Christensen, 2011, p. 1361). Hypertrophic changes in the joints can be seen in almost everyone past 40 years of age. The disease is an unavoidable consequence of aging and is a main cause of severe chronic disability. Osteoarthritis has a primary and a secondary form. Cause for the primary osteoarthritis is not known and secondary …show more content…
1361). “Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and the leading cause of disability in people older than age 65. Osteoarthritis of hip is most common in men and osteoarthritis of the interphalangeal joints and the thumb are most common in women.” Overweight people or people who have experienced repetitive stress to their joints are more prone to getting and suffer from osteoarthritis (Barbara Lauritsen Christensen, 2011, p. 1361). 70% of the hip and knee replacements are for osteoarthritis. People who are overweight or obese are likely to get knee and hip osteoarthritis. People who are diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip should not climb stairs, bend, squat or stoop. Joints of the hand, knee, hip and cervical and lumbar vertebrae are most commonly affected with osteoarthritis (Barbara Lauritsen Christensen, 2011, p. 1361). Researchers are not clear as to what causes osteoarthritis but osteoarthritis is mostly related to aging. Women are affected more than men and