Which are the most common sites of osteoarthritis?

Which are the most common sites of osteoarthritis?

• A. Weight-bearing joints, hands, spine
• B. Shoulders only
• C. Wrists only
• D. Knees only

Answer: (A)

Osteoarthritis tends to affect joints that bear weight or are subjected to frequent use, and it often involves the hands as well. The most common sites are weight‑bearing joints (knees, hips, and the spine’s facet joints) and the joints of the hands (the distal and proximal interphalangeal joints and the thumb carpometacarpal joint). This pattern explains why OA commonly shows involvement in multiple areas, not just a single joint. While the shoulders or wrists can be affected, they are not the most typical sites compared with these weight‑bearing joints and hand joints.

Osteoarthritis tends to affect joints that bear weight or are subjected to frequent use, and it often involves the hands as well. The most common sites are weight‑bearing joints (knees, hips, and the spine’s facet joints) and the joints of the hands (the distal and proximal interphalangeal joints and the thumb carpometacarpal joint). This pattern explains why OA commonly shows involvement in multiple areas, not just a single joint. While the shoulders or wrists can be affected, they are not the most typical sites compared with these weight‑bearing joints and hand joints.