Risk factors[edit]

Damage from mechanical stress with insufficient self repair by joints is believed to be the primary cause of osteoarthritis.^[11] Sources of this stress may include misalignments of bones caused by congenital or pathogenic causes; mechanical injury; excess body weight; loss of strength in the muscles supporting a joint; and impairment of peripheral nerves, leading to sudden or uncoordinated movements.^[11] However exercise, including running in the absence of injury, has not been found to increase the risk.^[12] Nor has cracking one's knuckles been found to play a role.^[13]