Olympians are not immune to osteoarthritis

As much as they can entertain and inspire us with their physical feats, even Olympic athletes can end up in a position of having to buy Hyalgan or buy Euflexxa to treat their chronic joint pain.

A Washington Times columnist recently penned an article noting the small, yet significant history of arthritic American Olympians. Specifically, the writer pointed to 1976 USA figure skating gold medalist and former daughter-in-law of Dean Martin, Dorothy Hamill. The former Ice Capades star still frolics on ice despite the arthritis affecting her hips, neck and knee. Next, the Washington Times writer makes due mention of arthritic cyclist Kristin Armstrong, who won an Olympic gold medal for individual time trial cycling seven years after she was diagnosed with this condition.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the cause of osteoarthritis is unknown, but its onset appears to be linked to "mechanical and molecular events" in joints. The condition is also known as degenerative joint disease, affects women more commonly than men, and according to the Washington Times columnist, construction workers, typists and athletes are particularly at risk.