Who gets osteoarthritis?
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- Primary OA develops in previously healthy joints. Most cases develop in people over 50. By the age of 65, at least half of people have some OA in some joint(s). It is mild in many cases, but about 1 in 10 people over 65 have a major disability due to OA (mainly due to OA of the hip or knee).
- Secondary OA develops in joints previously abnormal for a variety of reasons. For example, it may develop in injured or deformed joints. This can occur in younger people.
Which joints are affected?
The hips, knees, finger joints, thumb joints, and lower spine are the common joints affected. Less commonly affected joints are shoulders, elbows, wrists, ankles, and toe joints. In many cases, just a few joints develop symptoms with one or two becoming the most troublesome. In some people, OA develops in many joints.
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