# Arthritis prevention FAQ | Arthritis Prevention

Source: https://arthritisprevention.org/faq/

# Questions

### Can arthritis be prevented?

Not every case. Age, sex, and family history raise risk and cannot be changed. But the CDC says physical activity can help prevent or delay arthritis, and that being physically active and keeping a healthy weight are ways to lower your chances of getting it.

### What is the single best thing I can do?

Stay physically active. The CDC recommends at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity and two days of muscle strengthening for adults, including people with arthritis.

### Who is most at risk of arthritis?

Risk rises with age. Women are more likely than men to develop osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia; men are more likely to develop gout. Family history, overweight, smoking, joint injury, and some infections also raise risk.

### Are veterans more likely to have arthritis?

Yes. The CDC reports that 1 in 3 veterans have arthritis, compared with 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. overall, possibly because of injuries during service.

### Is osteoarthritis just wear and tear?

No. NIH’s NIAMS says osteoarthritis happens when cartilage and other joint tissues break down or change structure, and that this does not happen because of simple wear and tear.

### How common is osteoarthritis?

The CDC says about 33 million U.S. adults have osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis.

### Can rheumatoid arthritis be prevented?

The causes of RA are not known, so there is no proven way to prevent it. Not smoking lowers one known risk, and early diagnosis and treatment can prevent joint damage.

### Who gets rheumatoid arthritis?

The CDC says risk increases with age and is highest among adults 50 to 59, and women are two to three times more likely to have RA.

### What foods trigger gout?

The CDC lists foods and drinks high in purines: alcohol (especially beer and hard liquor), sugary drinks and foods, red and organ meats, and some seafood such as anchovies, sardines, mussels, scallops, trout, and tuna.

### Can gout be prevented?

Flares can often be prevented or reduced with diet and lifestyle changes and, when prescribed, medicines that lower uric acid.

### Is exercise safe if my joints already hurt?

The CDC says physical activity is safe for people with arthritis. Some pain, stiffness, or swelling is normal when starting, and should improve over time; if it does not, or if pain is severe, contact your provider.

### What are joint-friendly activities?

Brisk walking, cycling, light gardening, dancing, tai chi, swimming, and water exercises put little stress on the joints.

### Does losing weight help knee pain?

The CDC says extra weight puts more stress on joints and can make knee or hip osteoarthritis pain worse, and lists keeping a healthy weight among the proven ways to manage osteoarthritis.

### Which joints are most affected by weight?

Weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips.

### Can an old sports injury cause arthritis?

Yes. The CDC says some joint injuries raise the risk of osteoarthritis later in the same joint; ACL injuries of the knee are an example.

### Does my job affect arthritis risk?

Osteoarthritis is more common among adults with jobs that require a lot of bending, squatting, or other repetitive motions.

This page summarizes public health guidance. It is not medical advice and cannot diagnose joint pain. If you have pain, swelling, or stiffness that lasts, see a health care provider.