If you looked at X-ray pictures of Americans over the age of 65, you would find that around two-thirds of them have signs of osteoarthritis, but less than half of this group would have any symptoms.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Felson DT.
Epidemiology of hip and knee osteoarthritis.
Epidemiologic Reviews. 1988; 10: 1-28.

 

 

 

 

 

¹

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Barker K, Lamb SE, Toye F, et al.
Association between radiographic joint space narrowing, function, pain and muscle power in severe osteoarthritis of the knee.
Clinical Rehabilitation. 2004; 18: 793-800.

 

 

 

 

 

² And only about half the people with severe osteoarthritis would have symptoms.

Osteoarthritis is rare in people under age 45. Only 2 in 100 people in this age group are affected.

About 9 in 100 to 12 n 100 older Americans (about 3 million people) are disabled from osteoarthritis and cannot do everyday tasks like wash their hair or get out of the bath on their own. About half of them use wheelchairs or have to stay in bed.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Swedberg JA, Steinbauer JR.
Osteoarthritis.
American Family Physician. 1992; 45: 557-568.

 

 

 

 

 

³

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