Osteoarthritis (OA) Health Facts
There are at the present nearly 70 million people in the U.S. experiencing arthritis or some form of joint inflammation. Arthritis affects nearly 25% of the U.S. population.
OA is characterized by the breakdown of the joint's cartilage. Cartilage breakdown causes bones to rub against each other, causing pain and loss of movement. The symptoms of OA can range from very mild to very severe. OA can affect hands and weight-bearing joints such as knees, hips, spine, and feet. Obesity is another factor relating to joint pain. More than half of American adults are currently overweight or obese. Being overweight increases the load placed on the joints, which can speed up cartilage wear and tear. According to Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, being only 10 pounds 
overweight increases the force on the knee by 30-60 pounds with each step. Population studies have shown a relationship of being overweight as a factor in developing osteoarthritis of the knee (Anderson, 1988).
