As we age, our bodies begin to undergo many different changes, and we may no longer be able to keep up at the same pace as we once did. We may notice more difficulty with seemingly simple activities like opening a box, grasping or lifting objects, even walking. Millions of people can attribute these changes to osteoarthritis.
Also deemed “wear-and-tear arthritis”, osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that protects the ends of your bones wears down over time. You may experience things like stiffness and swelling in the affected area, a grating sensation, or even a clicking or cracking noise as the affected joint bends. These symptoms may seem worse at the end of the day or after an activity. While it can ultimately damage any joint in your body, osteoarthritis typically affects the knees, hips, spine, finger joints, and toes.
Osteoarthritis has been proven to be a disease of the joints, rather than the joints simply wearing out over time. So if you are wondering what might put you more at risk for developing osteoarthritis, here’s what you need to know:
- Stay at a healthy weight. Extra weight puts additional pressure on knees and hips and can cause the cartilage in those areas to break down faster over time.
- Genes play a factor. Some people inherit a tendency to develop the disease.
- Joint injuries increase your odds of developing OA. Even if you think your joint injury from years ago has long since healed, you are still at risk.
- The older you are, the higher your risk. Repeating the same motions in a joint day after day, year after year, puts a lot of stress on a joint.
If you are currently struggling to manage your knee or hip pain as a result of osteoarthritis, you may qualify for a paid research study with New England Research Associates.
Study participants are seen by doctors and other medical professionals who can provide further testing and educations, and may even have access to treatments before they are available on the market. Further, no insurance is required to participate and qualified participants are compensated for time and travel expenses.
Currently Enrolling Clinical Trials in Connecticut
Learn more about your condition, receive free treatment and access to new pharmaceuticals, and help advance medical research!
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