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Prognosis and prevention of osteoarthritis
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Primary prevention of osteoarthritis should be carried out in childhood. It is necessary to monitor the correct posture of the child at the school desk to avoid the formation of juvenile scoliosis with the subsequent development of deforming spondylosis. Children need systematic gymnastics to strengthen the muscular-ligamentous apparatus. In the presence of even slight flat feet, it is necessary to persistently recommend wearing insoles to prevent further lowering of the arch of the foot. In case of congenital and acquired static disorders (scoliosis, kyphosis, hip dysplasia, O-shaped or X-shaped lower limbs, flat feet), it is necessary to consult an orthopedist for the earliest possible correction of these disorders.
Adults with excess body weight and arthralgia, and especially those who have arthrosis in their families, need to monitor the correct ratio between height and body weight, not overload the joints, and avoid fixed positions at work. Physical exercises should be performed (without overloading the joints), especially swimming with mandatory subsequent rest is recommended. General strengthening activities are useful - short walks with rest, a morning shower or rubdowns that improve blood circulation and metabolism. Young people should take into account a family predisposition to osteoarthritis, when choosing a profession, avoid types of work associated with overload and microtraumatization of individual joints (for example, if the mother has Heberden's and / or Bouchard nodes, it is inappropriate to do work associated with increased dynamic load on the joints of the fingers, for example, typing). These people should also not engage in heavy sports (weightlifting and track and field, boxing, speed skating, etc.).
In the presence of even minimal dysplasia and static disorders (for example, slight scoliosis), consultation with an orthopedist and appropriate treatment are necessary.
Secondary prevention of osteoarthritis involves taking measures to prevent the recurrence of synovitis - dosed walking, light work, walking with support and other measures that relieve the joints.
[ Osteoarthritis prognosis
Patients with coxarthrosis (especially those arising against the background of hip dysplasia) may become completely disabled within a few years. With other localizations of the disease, disability occurs rarely, but cases of temporary loss of working capacity due to exacerbation of symptoms of the joint syndrome often occur.
With slow progression of the disease, as well as with localization of arthrosis in several small joints, the ability of patients to work is maintained for many years.