Joint Health Problems
“Nearly 1 in 2 people may develop symptomatic knee osteoarthritis by the age of 85.
Two in three people who are obese may develop symptomatic knee OA in their lifetime.”
[Murphy L, et al. Lifetime risk of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. Arthritis Care & Research. 59(9): 1207-1213]
“1 in 4 people may develop painful hip arthritis in their lifetime.”
[Murphy L, et al. One in four people may develop symptomatic hip osteroarthritis in his or her lifetime. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 2010(18):1372-1379]
A large percentage of doctor visits deal with musculoskeletal issues. It is one of the most common health problems. Osteoarthritis and osteoporosis are the most two common causes. Despite the fact that osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are completely different conditions, they are frequently confused because both names start with “osteo.” Osteoporosis is a bone disease in which the amount and quality of the bone is reduced, leading to fractures. It produces no pain or other symptoms unless a fracture has occurred. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that involves thinning or destruction of the smooth cartilage, thereby changing the bone underneath the joint cartilage. It usually produces pain and symptoms.
Based on the Arthritis Society report (2012), 4.5 million, or one in six Canadians aged 15 years and older report having arthritis. By 2031, approximately seven million Canadians (one in five) are expected to have arthritis. Fractures from osteoporosis alone are more common than heart attacks, stroke and breast cancer combined, as shown in the graph below.
Our body constantly makes new bone and cartilage and discards old and dead parts. Until the age of 40, the production and loss of bone and cartilage are similar, meaning that the body is able to remain stable. However, as we age, we tend to lose the ability to make new cells. As a consequence, bone and cartilage start to wear away naturally, and that is why a person in his/her later years may have both osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Fortunately, this natural process can be slowed and even prevented with the consumption of proper nutrition and supplements.
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