What causes osteoarthritis?
Researchers are not entirely clear on what initiates the damage and loss of cartilage associated with osteoarthritis. Fractures, mechanical abnormalities (i.e., having unequal lower limb lengths or being bow-legged or knock-kneed), the presence of other bone and joint diseases (such as gout), or an underlying metabolic or hormonal disorder have been shown to play a role in the development of osteoarthritis.
