There are a number of common factors predisposing to the development of both osteoarthritis and osteoporosis - female gender, old age, genetic predisposition (familial aggregation of collagen type I gene, etc.), estrogen deficiency and vitamin D, etc.
Osteoarthritis occurs as a result of the interaction of many genetic and environmental (including traumatic) factors. It was the analysis of risk factors for the development of osteoarthritis of various localizations that promoted the concept of heterogeneity of the disease.
Currently, there is no unified approach to the terminology and classification of osteoarthrosis in world clinical practice.
Osteoarthritis is a disease of synovial joints (diarthrosis). The main functions of diarthrosis are motor (movement of the joints of the joints along certain axes) and support (load during standing, walking, jumping).
The results of a number of epidemiological studies have shown that occupations associated with prolonged repeated use of certain joint groups are associated with a high risk of osteoarthritis.
Along with the degeneration of articular cartilage, the pathological process in osteoarthritis involves the underlying bone tissue. It is suggested that the thickening of the subchondral plate promotes the progression of osteoarthritis.
In recent years, a great deal of research has focused on the identification of proteases responsible for the degradation of ECM of articular cartilage in osteoarthritis.
In 1803 W. Heberden described "slightly dense knots, the size of a small pea" on the back surface of the distal interphalangeal joints of the hands. This feature, according to the author, distinguishes osteoarthritis from other joint diseases, including gout.
Menisci are structures that increase the congruence of articular surfaces of the femoral and tibia, increase lateral stability and improve the distribution of synovial fluid, as well as the exchange of nutrients with articular cartilage
The popularity of jogging among the population of many countries in the world has recently attracted attention to running for long distances as a factor in the risk of developing osteoarthritis.