Who gets osteoarthritis?

Condition analysis:
Osteoarthritis can strike people of any age, but it affects you most as you get older. If you’re in your 70s or 80s, there is a good chance you have it to some degree because of the wear and tear on your joints and cartilage. Before age 55, it seems to affect men and women equally, but women are at higher risk after that. It can strike many different parts of your body, too: hips, knees, shoulders, the neck and the lower back, for example.

Osteoarthritis can affect younger people, too - especially athletes. On top of the natural wear and tear of age, injuries such as ACL tears can play a role.

Instructions:
Stay active: Exercise may be the last thing you want to do when your arthritis hurts. But many studies show that physical activity is one of the best ways to improve your quality of life. Exercise boosts your energy. It can also strengthen your muscles and bones, and help keep your joints flexible. Try resistance training to build stronger muscles. Your muscles protect and support joints affected by arthritis. Go for aerobic workouts to burn calories, which will help you lose weight. Maintaining a healthy weight relieves stress on painful joints. Of course, if you're experiencing a bad flare-up, it may be better not to exercise until the pain subsides.