Why Women are at Higher Risk for Getting Arthritis

Another possible explanation is the difference in women’s bodies to men, there are certain musculoskeletal differences, women’s hips are wider than men’s hips and can alter the way each gender walks, stands and runs as well as how their joint surfaces move. The angle formed by the hip bones in a woman is wider than the knees which puts more stress on the outside of the knees. This “knock-kneed” position can cause osteoarthritis over time in some women.

Women are also more likely to develop a condition called Patellofemoral Arthritis which affects the underside of the kneecap (patella) and the groove in the femur where the patella sits. The kneecap rubs against the femur causing a misalignment that often causes wear and tear that can progress to arthritis and cause pain in the front of the knee.

The most common risk factor for osteoarthritis in women, as in men, is obesity as the excess weight exerts tremendous pressure on the joints causing an erosion in cartilage, an increase in pain and an escalation in the onset of arthritis. This is further hampered by women who go through menopause and gain excess weight. By the time a woman reaches 65, she is twice as likely as a man to experience osteoarthritis symptoms.

The increased onset of osteoarthritis in women has generated numerous studies to determine the role that hormones play.  Fluctuating estrogen levels appear to influence arthritis with varying symptoms of joint and muscle pain as well as stiffness.

Younger women tend to have less arthritis than older women as estrogen helps to keep inflammation at bay until menopause, when levels decrease, and arthritis occurs. 

Studies have shown that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) reduces the effects of arthritis as it replaces the estrogen you lose as you age, and the benefits usually outweigh the risks.

Research into the influence of hormones on osteoarthritis is a on-going process.

Any trauma from a sports injury can cause osteoarthritis to occur and as more and more girls and women participate in sports so does the risk of injuries such as torn cartilage, ligament injuries and dislocated joints. When there is damage to the knee or any strains or tears such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), wear and tear occurs which leads to an increased risk of osteoarthritis further down the road.

Several lifestyle changes need to be implemented for women of all ages to reduce the risk of developing osteoarthritis. These include the following:

• Implementing low-impact exercises into your daily activities. These will maintain healthy joints.
• Maintaining a healthy weight 
• Management of occupational risks that involve a constant motion on your joints.
• Rest when you need to, the key is to have a balance in life.
• Maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle and outlook.