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Is arthritis genetic? my mum has osteoarthritis - could I also develop this as I get older? (Becky)

Hello,
Sometypes of arthritis do run in families, for example rheumatoid arthritis and axial spondyoarthropathy but just because a member of your fmily has this condition, it definitely does not mean that you will go on to develop arthritis as there are lots of other relevant factors in the environment for example smoking or perhaps diet and lifestyle although these factors are not well understood. Sometimes osteoarthritis in the fingers tends to run in families as well especially in women but again this is not inevitable. Managing your health by keeping to a healthy weight and exercising regularly can minimise your chances of developing symptomatic osteoarthritis.