What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA), also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD), is a “wear and tear” condition that causes the breakdown of cartilage in the joints, most commonly the hips and knees. It is not an all-or-nothing condition; rather, it is a progressive disease. While we cannot reverse OA, we can slow its progression with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. About 1 in 4 adults have osteoarthritis, and over 35% over the age of 65, have OA. Additionally, the number of people diagnosed with OA is rapidly increasing, making it a significant public health issue.
OA causes pain and, if left untreated, can lead to loss of mobility, joint stiffness, and chronic discomfort. A wide range of effective treatments exist—from conservative options like simple dietary changes to surgical solutions such as total joint replacement. However, choosing the right treatment can be challenging.
Gender-Specific Differences
Although 26% of women have OA compared to 18% of men, women are three times less likely to undergo total joint replacement (TJR) surgery. When women do opt for TJR surgery, they are typically older, more frail, report more severe arthritis pain, and have worse pre-operative function scores. These factors can lead to poorer post-operative outcomes.
Women:
● Are more likely to develop hip and knee arthritis than men
● Are more likely to delay seeking evaluation and treatment
● Experience more symptoms, more severe pain, and greater loss of function
Men:
● Choose total joint replacement surgery more frequently than women
● Tend to have better pain and function scores at the time of surgery
Why Does Gender Matter?
From pre-operative decision-making to post-operative care, several gender-specific differences exist throughout the total joint replacement experience.
Women often ask more questions about both pre- and post-operative care and report more functional disability related to their arthritis. Because they tend to delay treatment and endure greater pain and disability, women frequently have slower recoveries and are more likely to require blood transfusions or be discharged to a skilled nursing or rehabilitation facility after surgery.
Men often begin their surgical journey with less pain and higher functional scores, leading to better post-operative outcomes. However, they are more likely to be readmitted to the hospital after TJR and are also at higher risk of requiring revision surgery in the future.
What Does This Mean for You?
Because of these well-established differences, patients and healthcare providers must work together to ensure that care is tailored not only to gender-specific needs but also to individual lifestyles, habits, and personal circumstances.
For women, early intervention in osteoarthritis care is especially important. Gender-specific care programs, like those offered by the Bone and Joint Center at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, provide early evaluations and comprehensive education about osteoarthritis and related orthopaedic conditions. We are committed to supporting you on your journey to find the treatment plan that is best for you.
