Arthritis and Old Age

It’s a common misconception that arthritis only affects people in their 50s and beyond. In fact, arthritis can affect young adults, teens and children. It’s more common than you might think in these age groups, too. Hundreds of thousands of U.S. children younger than age 16 have some type of arthritis. Arthritis also affects younger adults, people older than 16 but younger than age While it’s true that many types of arthritis are more common among older adults, they aren’t exclusive to any age group. That said, what’s the relationship between age and arthritis, and what causes arthritis in young adults?

The answer to that question varies based on the specific type of arthritis—and the causes are sometimes different in younger people than in older ones. The experts at Summit Orthopedics in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area discuss the ins and outs of arthritis in younger adults.

Arthritis: Not Just an ‘Old Age’ Issue

There are many different types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type, affecting more than 32.5 million U.S. adults. Other common types of arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and gout. Each type of arthritis affects the body in a slightly different way.

Osteoarthritis is usually caused by tissue degeneration within the cartilage of a joint over time, which is why it’s often associated with older adults. Age-related damage isn’t always the cause, though. It’s also possible for young adults to develop osteoarthritis following a joint injury. Joint injuries that occur during sports participation or a car accident can damage the joint, leading to pain, stiffness and other symptoms. This can include common injuries such as anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus tears.

Other risk factors, including genetic defects or abnormal joint structure, can also increase the risk of osteoarthritis in young people.

When it comes to other types of arthritis, the underlying causes may be the same or different for older adults and young people. Gout, for example, is associated with being overweight and eating a diet high in purine-rich foods such as red meat. However, children and teenagers with gout often have a different contributing conditions, such as Down syndrome or congenital heart disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints. Researchers aren’t entirely certain what causes this to happen, but it can occur in older adults, younger adults and children.

Psoriatic arthritis (PSA) is also commonly diagnosed in younger adults. People with PSA usually develop a skin condition known as psoriasis in their teens and 20s, eventually leading to joint related symptoms a decade or more later.

Understanding Your Risk

The misconception that arthritis only affects older adults has been around for a long time. However, arthritis is probably more common among young adults than previously thought.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 11.5% of adults ages 35 to 49 have arthritis—that’s more than 1 in 10. There’s other evidence that plenty of younger people are affected by arthritis: The number of joint replacement surgeries performed on young adults is increasing at a steady pace.

In fact, the average age of joint replacement in the United States is decreasing, with many people in their 40s, 50s and early 60s opting for the surgery. As technology continues to improve, joint replacement surgery decisions center around quality of life and symptom management.

Protecting Joints at Any Age

What can you do to protect your joints and lower your risk of developing arthritis as a young adult? It starts with knowing your risk factors, which vary by type but may include:

• Being overweight or obese
• Experiencing a joint injury
• Having a family history of arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
• Having certain infections
• Having low muscle mass
• Smoking

While you can’t control your family medical history, understanding the causes of arthritis can help you take steps to lower your overall risk of developing arthritis as a young adult. It’s important to be physically active since doing so helps to strengthen your muscles and protect your joints—but choose your activities wisely.

Try to avoid high-impact activities that put repeated stress on your joints. This is particularly important if you notice certain movements cause you discomfort. If you want to keep doing an activity you love, such as your favorite HIIT class, adapt it to make it friendlier for your joints. Try skipping jumps and sudden direction changes or using a mat to cushion your landing.

Practicing other healthy lifestyle habits can also help you reduce your risk. Don’t smoke, and if you do smoke, talk with a provider about a smoking cessation plan. Do your best to avoid infections by getting recommended vaccinations and practicing good hygiene. Eat a diet that’s low in saturated fat, with a minimal amount of red and processed meat.

Expert Advice: Causes of Arthritis in Younger Adults

If you have a family history of arthritis, talk with an arthritis expert about your risk. Ask what you can do to protect your health. Your provider may order certain blood tests that look for markers of inflammation in your body that could indicate rheumatoid arthritis or another inflammatory form of the disease. They can consider what might have caused arthritis in the younger adults in your family and give you advice about your situation. Being proactive about your health when you know you’re at risk can lead to an early diagnosis. That, in turn, can jump-start an effective treatment plan.

Think you may be experiencing arthritis at a young age? Find an arthritis expert or request an appointment online to schedule a consultation.