Classification of Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a common
cartilage condition and a major cause of pain and
disability in older adults. Primaryosteoarthritis
results from changes over time often linked to things such as age, obesity, and
a family history of osteoarthritis. Secondary
osteoarthritis is caused by other conditions that damage cartilage.
Types of osteoarthritis
| Primary osteoarthritis|| Secondary osteoarthritis|
It is usually limited to one or a small number of
It may be limited to a small number of joints if
injury-related, or it may be in joints throughout body if disease-related.
It is seen in spine, hips, knees, thumbs, and top
two sets of finger joints.
It is seen in hips, ankles, shoulders, wrists, and
the middle set of finger joints.
No specific inflammatory or metabolic condition
known to be associated with arthritis is present.
Conditions that cause damage to cartilage may be
present, such as:
There is no history of specific injury or
There may be a history of injury to joints, such as
fractures and tears, or history of trauma to joints, such as repetitive heavy
lifting or kneeling.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
April 09, 2013
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Classification of Osteoarthritis Topics