This degenerative joint disease, which progressively damages cartilage and other joint structures, affects the quality of life of millions of people. So, what are its causes and how can it be managed?
Osteoarthritis, a condition affecting one in six people in France
Osteoarthritis, this joint disease often associated with aging, is frequently viewed through its symptoms: difficulty moving, pain during daily movements, and stiffness. It affects many parts of the body, such as the knees, hips, and hands. According to Inserm and the French Society of Rheumatology, osteoarthritis currently affects about 10 million people in France, or nearly 17% of the population, a figure that could rise to 22% by 2030 with an aging population.
Globally, the scale of the phenomenon is even more striking. A study published in The Lancet Rheumatology, drawing on data from the Global Burden of Disease, 595 million people were living with osteoarthritis in 2020, or 7.6% of the world’s population — a rise of more than 132% since 1990. Projections now envisage more than a billion people affected by 2050, driven by aging populations and rising obesity.
While its exact causes remain partly unexplained, it is recognized that factors such as age, overweight, heredity, and certain repetitive joint stresses (manual labor, intensive sports) play a significant role in its onset. Contrary to a common misconception, osteoarthritis is not limited to older adults: its early symptoms can appear in people as young as 30 or 40 years old who have risk factors.
Osteoarthritis manifests as the deterioration of the articular cartilage, a key element that facilitates smooth movement by acting as a shock absorber. This deterioration leads to inflammation and pain due to the involvement of the joint’s innervated structures. The complexity of osteoarthritis lies in the fact that it affects all components of the joint, including the bones and tendons. The progressive nature of this disease can result in visible bone deformities, such as “pearl beaks” (parrot beaks), and a marked reduction in mobility.
The knee and the hand, the joints most affected
Across all sites, the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) regions are the areas most frequently affected (70 to 75% of cases), followed by the knee (around 40%) and the thumb (around 30%). Knee osteoarthritis (gonarthrosis) alone affects nearly 30% of people over 65 in France and is the leading reason for joint replacement surgery, with about 100,000 to 140,000 knee prostheses implanted each year in the country. Hip osteoarthritis, or coxarthrosis, affects 3 to 5% of the adult population and leads to around 150,000 hip replacements per year.
Women are markedly more affected than men, particularly after menopause: they would represent about 60% of those affected, partly due to the loss of hormonal protection from estrogens, but also due to more frequent exposure to tasks requiring repetitive manual work.
Tailored physical activity could prevent osteoarthritis
When facing osteoarthritis, prevention is crucial. It includes maintaining a healthy weight and regularly engaging in physical activity suited to the condition, such as swimming, which minimizes impact on the joints while strengthening them. A balanced diet is also recommended to prevent overweight and supply the nutrients necessary to maintain bone and joint health. Therapeutically, interventions range from analgesics and anti-inflammatories to more invasive treatments such as surgery, including the possible implantation of prostheses to restore joint function.
The World Health Organization classifies osteoarthritis among the ten most disabling conditions in developed countries, and recommends strengthening early detection among at-risk individuals (obesity, high-level athletes, jobs with repetitive joint stresses) in order to act before irreversible damage occurs.
Although osteoarthritis does not directly threaten life expectancy, it profoundly affects quality of life. Studying and properly treating this disease is therefore a major public health priority. Ongoing research to develop innovative treatments is essential to improve the management of this disease and to ensure a better quality of life for those affected.
