Is Arthritis Inherited?

Ask the Doc…….
“My mom and dad both have arthritis and I’m starting to get joint pain. Is there anything I can do to prevent my children from getting it?”


While there is some limitation to what can be done to prevent certain types of arthritis (like Rheumatoid Arthritis, which is inherited)), osteoarthritis (the most common form) can be prevented to some extent.

There is a misconception that osteoarthritis, is due to old age and will happen to us regardless of what we do. While age will wear out some of our cartilage, most of the damage that occurs (and is preventable), is due to poor alignment which increases joint friction. Abnormal friction and pressure wears out joints in the same way that poorly aligned car tires wear out sooner.

A recent study by the famed Mayo Clinic showed that even one degree of abnormal knee alignment (not even noticeable to the human eye) will increase the progression of arthritis 52%! And if you are carrying a few extra pounds that abnormal alignment becomes even more important.

Many times what we really inherit is the abnormal structure our parents had and not the arthritis itself. A long leg for example, can cause arthritis in the knees and hips. So symptoms in these areas may be due to our inheriting a longer leg and not an arthritis gene.

Even in the case of an inherited joint disease, abnormal structure plays a role. For example, Rheumatoid Arthritis may cause flattening of the arch. This in turn causes excessive pressure on the insides of the knees. By controlling the flattening of the foot, knee problems can often be improved, despite the fact that the cause was inherited.

So the best thing to do to prevent arthritis is to be structurally evaluated and aligned as ideally as possible. This will serve to decrease stress and pain on the weight bearing joints of the feet, ankles, knees, hips and back. And if an inherited form of arthritis does occur, repeat the evaluation to control the deformities that disease has caused.

In his book, “The Arthritis Cure,” Dr. Jason Theodosakis says that the importance of having yourself structurally evaluated and correcting abnormalities such as a longer leg or flatted foot “cannot be overemphasized.” As he says, “if you don’t correct the underlying problems, you can’t rid yourself of the disease.”

A former reconstructive foot and ankle surgeon and past Clinical Instructor of Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine, Dr. Pack practices at MCG Medical Associates, Lake Oconee Village in Greensboro. He specializes in biomechanical structural analysis and works with patients who have arthritis and wish to decrease joint symptoms and remain active. Dr. Pack also treats athletes at all levels. In the 2004 Olympics he had a silver and gold medalist and helps the UGA Golf Team (2005 NCCA National Champions). For further information please see his web site at www.drloupack.com or contact him directly at 706-454-0040.