large epidemiologic studies of osteoarthritis ( oa ) performed over the past 30 years have confirmed that oa is a ubiquitous condition , that it is linked to age , that it is more frequent and more widespread in women older than 45 years of age , and that mechanical overuse of the joints is probably instrumental in the occurrence or the location of certain cases of oa .
C0022417
joints
C0029408
oa