Which joints are most commonly affected by osteoarthritis?

Which joints are most commonly affected by osteoarthritis?

• A. Elbows and wrists
• B. Spine
• C. Shoulders
• D. Knee, hip, and fingers

Answer: (D)

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative process driven by aging and repeated joint use, so the joints most exposed to load tend to be affected first. The knees and hips bear the body’s weight and endure a lot of movement, making them the most commonly involved joints. The hands are also frequently affected, particularly the finger joints, where cartilage wear leads to changes that clinicians recognize as OA. Because of this pattern, the combination of knee, hip, and finger involvement best reflects the typical distribution of osteoarthritis. While OA can occur in other joints like the shoulders, elbows, wrists, or spine, those sites are less commonly involved compared with the knee, hip, and fingers.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative process driven by aging and repeated joint use, so the joints most exposed to load tend to be affected first. The knees and hips bear the body’s weight and endure a lot of movement, making them the most commonly involved joints. The hands are also frequently affected, particularly the finger joints, where cartilage wear leads to changes that clinicians recognize as OA. Because of this pattern, the combination of knee, hip, and finger involvement best reflects the typical distribution of osteoarthritis. While OA can occur in other joints like the shoulders, elbows, wrists, or spine, those sites are less commonly involved compared with the knee, hip, and fingers.