What causes Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee?
OA is caused by the gradual wear and tear of joint cartilage. OA happens whenever the joint’s ability to repair itself is outpaced by the rate of joint injury. When the conditions are right, OA of the knee can happen at any age and any level of activity. I treat teenage patients with OA, and patients in their 80’s who are free of OA. The “SAD” Diet. The excess intake of sugar, saturated fats, and nutrient depleted fast foods is known as the Standard American Diet- “SAD” for short. This diet actually turns on our internal inflammatory cycle, and causes the release of pro-inflammatory compounds within our joints. Think about it: Your child just played a hard game of soccer, and now the team celebrates at McDonalds or Dairy Queen, consuming the very foods that turn on the inflammatory cycle! The “SAD” diet is deficient in nutrients and can cause the loss of the bone underlying our cartilage. When the joint’s foundation crumbles, the cartilage is weakened and wears more quickly. Weak muscl
