things that can increase your risk for osteoarthritis are called risk factors. some risk factors such as your age or family history can't be changed or prevented. you may be able to reduce other risk factors for arthritis such as your weight or certain health problems by making lifestyle changes or taking medicine. for instance making some changes to your diet and exercising can help you lose weight if you need to. or taking medicine or supplements may help boost low levels of essential vitamins or hormones that are important for bone and joint health. risk factors you may be able to change or prevent include : being overweight. extra weight puts added stress on your joints and can change the normal shape of the joint. joint injury. a single major injury to a joint or several minor injuries can cause cartilage damage over time. activities that put repeated stress on a joint include squatting kneeling or heavy lifting common to some sports and jobs. lack of exercise which can cause your muscles and joints to get weak and stiff. low levels of estrogen in women especially after menopause. taking medicine or supplements may help increase estrogen levels. risk factors you can't change include : getting older. age is not a direct cause of arthritis but as you get older you're more likely to have symptoms. still not all older adults will have joint pain. a family history of arthritis. loose or odd-shaped joints. knees that bend outward (bowleg) or knees that bend toward each other (knock knees) for example can cause an imbalance in the joints because the cartilage wears down at an uneven rate. a previous infection of the joint. other types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis. metabolic or endocrine problems that cause a buildup of iron ( hemochromatosis ) copper ( wilson's disease ) or calcium ( hyperparathyroidism ) in the blood and tissues of the body. increased bone thickness. bones that are too thick may not be able to absorb impacts well and protect cartilage from trauma. decreased nerve function. when the sensory nerves in your joints that allow your body to make tiny changes in posture are damaged you're more likely to lose your balance. this problem is often seen in people who have nerve damage that may be caused by diabetes or low levels of vitamin b12. webmd medical reference from healthwise this information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information. © 1995-2011 healthwise incorporated. healthwise healthwise for every health decision and the healthwise logo are trademarks of healthwise incorporated.
what increases the risk of getting osteoarthritis?