Classification of Osteoarthritis
Topic Overview
Osteoarthritis is a common cartilage condition and a major cause of pain and disability in older adults. Primary osteoarthritis results from changes over time often linked to things such as age, obesity, and a family history of osteoarthritis. Secondaryosteoarthritis is caused by other conditions that damage cartilage.
Primary osteoarthritis |
Secondary osteoarthritis |
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It is usually limited to one or a small number of joints. |
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:
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There is no history of specific injury or trauma. |
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. |
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ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology
Current as ofOctober 10, 2017
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Current as of: October 10, 2017