Osteoarthritis frequently intersects with a range of other medical conditions. Certain ailments can act as precursors to the development of arthritis, some may result as a consequence of it, and others may emerge concurrently owing to common risk factors.
Notably, osteoarthritis is a leading contributor to joint discomfort, particularly among older adults. Common sites of osteoarthritic occurrence include the knees, hips, spine, and hands.
Conditions such as previous injuries to joints or being overweight heighten one’s susceptibility to osteoarthritis. Concurrently, other medical issues like cardiovascular diseases and depression are often seen in tandem with osteoarthritis, possibly due to overlapping predisposing factors. Moreover, osteoarthritis can sometimes be the catalyst for other health complications to arise.
Factors Heightening the Risk of Osteoarthritis Development
Certain conditions may predispose you to the development of osteoarthritis, potentially increasing your vulnerability to this degenerative joint disease.
Among these is post-traumatic osteoarthritis, a type associated with previous joint traumas such as sports-related injuries. This variant often emerges at a more youthful age when compared to traditional osteoarthritis. Studies suggest that post-traumatic osteoarthritis accounts for about 10–12% of all osteoarthritis cases, and it is exceptionally prevalent in the ankle, representing nearly 80% of osteoarthritis cases in that particular joint.
Excessive weight stands as a notable risk factor for osteoarthritis, as the added mass imposes increased strain on the back and lower extremity joints, potentially accelerating the disease’s onset and progression.
Individual anatomical differences can also contribute to a heightened risk of osteoarthritis. Some people are born with particular structural variances that place undue stress on certain joints. For instance, an increased supination of the foot — referring to the outward tilt of the sole — has been linked to a greater likelihood of developing knee osteoarthritis.
Broadly speaking, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that individuals with a familial history of osteoarthritis are at a higher risk compared to those without such a genetic background.
Common Conditions that Frequently Accompany Osteoarthritis
Individuals with osteoarthritis are found to have a heightened susceptibility to heart disease, possibly attributed to the joint pain that discourages physical activity, as well as shared risk factors like obesity. A 2023 study utilizing South Korean medical data indicated that knee osteoarthritis patients had a 26% greater risk of heart disease, a 20% increased risk of heart attacks, and a 29% higher chance of suffering a stroke.
Additionally, metabolic syndrome—a cluster of five interrelated risk factors that amplify heart disease risk, including excess abdominal fat, elevated blood sugar, dyslipidemia, high blood pressure, and low levels of HDL cholesterol—is closely linked with obesity, a primary risk factor for osteoarthritis.
Depression and anxiety are more prevalent among individuals with osteoarthritis and have been associated with heightened pain, reduced functionality, slower walking speeds, and a greater number of osteoarthritis locations.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)—a lung affliction marked by restricted airflow and breathing challenges—is both related to inflammation and diminished physical activity, much like osteoarthritis. Approximately 35.5% of individuals with COPD were found to have osteoarthritis in a 2018 review of 14 studies.
A University of Calgary study conducted in 2019 noted depression, COPD, and hypertension as the three principal comorbidities in osteoarthritis patients.
Stomach ulcers, often a consequence of excessive nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug usage for osteoarthritis relief, were reported to be over twice as prevalent in those with osteoarthritis than in the broader population, according to another study from 2019.
Prevalent Comorbidities Associated with Osteoarthritis
It’s not uncommon for individuals with osteoarthritis to encounter sleep challenges, with associated conditions such as insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome. These disturbances may also have a reciprocal effect; emerging research suggests that sleep issues could play a role in developing osteoarthritis.
Nerve Root Compression Associated with Spinal Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis affecting the spine can lead to inflammation that exerts pressure on the nerve roots emanating from the spinal cord. This condition, known as radiculopathy, can manifest as leg weakness, radiating pain down the leg, tingling, or numbness.
Bone Fracture Risks in Osteoarthritis Patients
The relationship between osteoarthritis and a heightened risk of bone fractures remains a subject of divergent study findings. While a comprehensive UK study observed a notable correlation between osteoarthritis and increased fracture risk, and a 2024 study identified a specific rise in spinal fracture risk linked to spinal osteoarthritis, a 2023 study contrasted these results by indicating that despite osteoarthritis raising the likelihood of repeated falls, it did not notably increase fracture risk.
Prevalent Conditions Mirroring the Manifestations of Osteoarthritis
Over 100 forms of arthritis have been identified by researchers, with osteoarthritis producing symptoms that may be indistinguishable from those of other arthritic or musculoskeletal conditions, such as:
- Rheumatoid arthritis: This form of arthritis is autoimmune in nature, characterized by the immune system errantly attacking the cells within the joints.
- Psoriatic arthritis: Arising in some individuals with psoriasis, an autoimmune condition known for its scaly skin rashes, psoriatic arthritis affects the joints.
- Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac encasing the joints, leads to a condition known as bursitis.
- Tendonitis: The inflammation of a tendon, which is the tissue connecting muscle to bone, is termed tendonitis.
- Gout: Marked by acute joint pain flare-ups, gout is attributed to the accumulation of uric acid crystals and predominantly targets the big toe.
- Avascular necrosis: Characterized by the death of bone tissue due to a compromised blood supply, which may be temporary or permanent, avascular necrosis poses serious joint problems.