I've been trying to find time to reply to some of these medical topics.
Degenerative arthritis (or osteoarthritis - OA) has a complex cause. It is
different from rheumatoid arthritis which is an autoimmune problem.
One can develop OA after trauma such as a football injury or an auto
accident. In this case, there is an injury to the cartilage covering of the
joint which sets up a process of cartilage deterioration that continues over
time. Studies done on people who exercise heavily, such as, marathon
runners have not demonstrated a higher rate of OA due to non-injury
activities. So, if you plan to run marathons or ultramarathons, don't get
injured. ;-)
The more typical OA starts out with a genetically predisposed cartilage.
The details of the problem are still subject to study, but some people
inherit a tendency to OA. In the case of genetic predisposition, excess use
of a weight bearing joint might accelerate the process.
I do not know if there is a higher rate of OA among overweight singers. I
would expect that just like football players who tend to be heavy from
muscle and/or fat, there is probably no excess of OA in non-injured joints.
OTOH, if one has a genetic predisposition to OA, one would be well advised
to keep one's weight in the normal range to protect the knees and hips.
John
John Messmer, MD, Assistant Professor, Family & Community Medicine
Medical Director, Penn State Geisinger Health Group, Palmyra, PA
"Try not. Do or do not; there is no 'try'." -- Yoda
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