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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2012; 16(05): 410-418
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1329894
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Osteoarthritis: What Does Imaging Tell Us about Its Etiology?

Victoria L. Johnson
1   Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
,
Bruno M. Giuffre
2   Department of Radiology, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
,
David J. Hunter
3   Department of Rheumatology, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, NSW Australia
4   Northern Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Publication Date:
04 December 2012 (online)

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Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder and a leading cause of disability. Due to an aging population and increasing obesity, the incidence of OA is rising. The etiology of OA is multifactorial and complex; thus prevention of OA remains challenging. Risk factors can be divided into person-level factors such as age, sex, obesity, genetics, race/ethnicity, and diet, and joint-level factors including injury, malalignment, and abnormal loading of the joints. This review provides a brief overview of the person-level risk factors and a more in-depth analysis of those at the joint level. It is only through an improved understanding of risk factors for the disease that we may be able to intervene meaningfully and prevent its occurrence.

Keywords

osteoarthritis - etiology - radiography