Is arthritis genetic?

[Anonymous]

I ask from an exercise perspective on preventing arthritis issues or how much is unavoidable.

My mom is in her 60s and never exercised beyond the occasional walk. For one she had a busy time raising kids and didn’t make the time but it also wasn’t encouraged like it is now for 30+ women to lift weights.

She’s had 2 knee replacements, 2 thumb joint surgery and now maybe a hip. In addition to arthritis and bursitis in hip and other places.

I’ve always been more active since high school at 45 I’ve been lifting weights and doing HIIT for 10 years now. I’m in good shape and have been able to lose weight even in my 40s.

Will any of this help prevent the issues she had or is it genetic and I’m doomed to struggle with the same things?

[Anonymous]

First of all, arthritis simply means inflammation of a joint and there are more than 100 types of arthritis.

Some are caused by overuse. Others, like RA, are immune related. Others have no known cause.

RA seems to travel in families, but its cause is unknown. For others, like ankylosing spondylitis, have a specific identified genetic marker (HLA-B27).

So it’ll really depends on what she has.

[Anonymous]

More miles on your joints = more wear and tear, not less.

[Anonymous]

Strength training and weight management can go a long way toward the prevention of osteoarthritis.

But like PP said, it depends on what your mom has -- not all arthritis is wear and tear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Strength training and weight management can go a long way toward the prevention of osteoarthritis.

But like PP said, it depends on what your mom has -- not all arthritis is wear and tear.

Strength training and weight management do not prevent osteoarthritis.

[Anonymous]

There is a genetic component which makes one more susceptible to certain types of arthritis, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis.

[Anonymous]

Idk, but my mom is in her 70s and also never exercised at all and doesn’t have any arthritis. Seems pretty luck of the draw.

[Anonymous]

Psoriatic arthritis is hereditary

[Anonymous]

This seems like an ideal thing to google.

[Anonymous]

Inflammatory arthritis has a genetic component, and osteoarthritis has a strong genetic component too, especially hip and hand osteoarthritis. If you had a parent with bony, knobby fingers you might end up with bad osteoarthritis too

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Idk, but my mom is in her 70s and also never exercised at all and doesn’t have any arthritis. Seems pretty luck of the draw.

That's still young. A person would have to abuse their body or have a genetic preponderance for it to have arthritis in their 70s in this day and age. 150 years ago, sure, not so much anymore.