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X-ray showing a healthy joint on the left, with joint destruction and joint space narrowing on the right
Weakness HOW DO WE DIAGNOSE WHAT ARE THE RISK
Patients will start suffering from OSTEOARTHRITIS OF THE FACTORS FOR DEVELOPING
weakness in the knee due to reduced KNEE? OSTEOARTHRITIS OF THE
activity and altered biomechanics. • Taking a medical history and doing a KNEE?
Because the thigh muscles don’t physical examination Age
function as they should, the knee • X-rays of the knee joints as well as the Osteoarthritis is a wear and tear
then becomes weaker and weaker. pelvis disease. The longer we live, the
• Blood tests to exclude autoimmune more wear and tear will occur.
and other joint diseases
• Aspiration of the joint fluid for analysis. Heredity
Although osteoarthritis itself is not
carried over from generation to
generation, some diseases like joint laxity
can be carried over. These diseases can
lead to the development of osteoarthritis.
Gender
Post-menopausal women tend
to have an increased risk of
developing osteoarthritis.
Excessive weight
People who are overweight or obese
put a greater burden on the knee joints
and thus have an increased risk.
Normal knee joint vs. osteoarthritic knee joint. Note the inflammation and wear on the osteoarthritic joint.
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