Osteoarthrosis / Osteoarthritis: Entitlement Eligibility Guidelines

ENTITLEMENT ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES
OSTEOARTHROSIS / OSTEOARTHRITIS
This guideline excludes inflammatory and depositional joint disease.
MPC See individual code for affected joint

ICD-9 715
DEFINITION
For VAC purposes, osteoarthrosis is a non-inflammatory joint disease characterized by

degeneration of the articular cartilage, hypertrophy of bone at the margins, and changes
in the synovial membrane. It is also known as Degenerative Arthritis, Hypertrophic
Arthritis and Degenerative Joint Disease.
The terms osteoarthrosis and osteoarthritis are used interchangeably in the medical
community and the general public. For the purpose of this guideline, the terms are
considered synonymous and will hereinafter be referred to as “OA”.
PLEASE NOTE: An application for pension entitlement for OA requires that a

“disability” from OA be present. For VAC pension purposes, a “disability” from OA is
demonstrated when relevant signs and/or symptoms are present. X-ray evidence alone
is insufficient, as the condition must be symptomatic. X-ray findings do not correlate
well with symptoms of OA. While it is accepted that osteophytes and joint space
narrowing are signs of OA, they do not mean that OA is symptomatic.
This guideline excludes inflammatory joint disease, examples of which are as follows:
 rheumatoid arthritis
 Reiter’s syndrome
 psoriatic arthritis
 ankylosing spondylitis (peripheral joints)
 septic arthritis
 arthritis associated with Crohn’s disease
 arthritis associated with ulcerative colitis
This guideline excludes depositional joint disease, examples of which are as follows:
 gout and pseudogout
 hemochromatosis
 Wilson’s disease
 ochronosis (alkaptonuria)
 hemophilia and other bleeding disorders
VETERANS AFFAIRS CANADA FEBRUARY 2005

Entitlement Eligibility Guidelines – OSTEOARTHROSIS/OSTEOARTHRITIS Page 2
DIAGNOSTIC STANDARD
Diagnosis by a qualified medical practitioner is required. While x-rays and other

diagnostic tests such as bone scans are often helpful, the clinical characteristics must
be provided. For VAC pension purposes, a disability resulting from OA is present only
when there are relevant signs and/or symptoms of OA demonstrated.
Each claimed joint should be individually diagnosed, and the diagnosis for each joint
should describe the site(s) affected. The term “generalized” OA may be used where
five or more joints are affected by OA. For VAC pension purposes, each hand is
considered one joint, and each foot is considered one joint.
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
Joints are formed as a connection between any two bones. There are three types of
joints found in the human body that vary by the amount of relative motion allowed. They
are as follows:
1. Synovial lined joints

Synovial joints are the most common and normally provide free movement
between the joints they join. Synovial joints have four distinguishing features
including a joint cavity, an articular cartilage, a synovial membrane, and a fibrous
capsule. The joint capsule and its associated ligaments are important in
maintaining the normal relationship between the articulating bones.
There are six types of synovial joints in the body.
1) plane joints - permit gliding or sliding movements, e.g. vertebral facet

joints.
2) hinge joints - permit movement in flexion and extension, e.g. humeroulnar
joint of the elbow.
3) pivot joints - permit rotation around a longitudinal axis, e.g. atlantoaxial
joint of C1-C2.
4) condyloid joints - permit flexion and extension, abduction and adduction,
and circumduction, e.g. metacarpalphalangeal joints.
5) saddle joints - permit motion similar to condyloid joints, e.g.
carpometacarpal joints of thumb.
6) ball and socket joints - permit flexion, extension, abduction, adduction,
internal and external rotation as well as circumduction, e.g. shoulder joint.
2. Synarthroses or fibrous joints

The bones involved in these are united by fibrous tissue. The amount of
movement permitted at the joint depends on the length of the fibers uniting the
bones. An example would include skull sutures which allow little or no movement
between the bones.

3. Cartilaginous joints
The bones involved in these joints are united by cartilage which permits slight
bending especially early in life and during pregnancy. Examples would include
symphysis pubis and manubriosternal joint.
The joint is a complex organ made up of periarticular and subchondral bone, articular
cartilage, synovial membrane, joint capsule, and periarticular musculature.
Articular cartilage covers the ends of the bones and provides the primary load bearing
functions in the joint with excellent frictional characteristics. It also provides a highly
wear-resistant surface that allows one end of the joint to move efficiently over the other
with little or no attrition. Most OA changes begin with focal lesions on the cartilage
surface, eventually leading to the wearing away of the cartilage entirely and thereby
producing OA.
Diseases of the synovial joints, such as OA or rheumatoid arthritis, are due to

destruction of articular cartilage and bony changes such as osteophyte formation.
The main joints of concern with OA are synovial joints, such as the hip and the knee,
which are characterized by large amounts of motion. The primary function of these
joints is to facilitate the movement of various limbs and locomotion. Every movement by
the human body involves synovial joints. Under normal conditions, the synovial joint is
an efficient bearing system with excellent friction, lubrication, and wear properties that
undergoes little or no deterioration during the life of the individual. It must be able to
withstand loads of up to six times body weight on a repetitive basis, for up to one million
cycles per year, depending on the specific joint and function. Wear and tear breakdown
of these synovial joints leads to degenerative joint disease and arthritis, resulting in
limitations in joint function and body movement.
OA may be classified as either primary, when there is no obvious predisposing cause,

or secondary, when the disease results from anatomic or metabolic predisposing
factors. Primary OA affects, mainly, the weight-bearing joints. Weight-bearing joints
are the lumbar spine, hips, knees and ankles. In the majority of persons with OA,
involvement is limited to one or only a small number of joints, e.g. the hands or the
spine. Persons with involvement of numerous joint regions are considered to have a
variant of OA, called primary generalized OA.

A number of risk factors has been implicated in the pathogenesis of OA generally,

including but not limited to:
1. age
2. gender
3. ethnicity
4. biochemical, e.g. bone density
5. genetics
6. local biomechanical factors, e.g.
 obesity
 cumulative joint trauma
 specific joint injury
 joint deformity
 muscle weakness
 ligamentous laxity of joint
7. inflammation, e.g. bacterial joint infection
The following risk factors have been identified for post-traumatic OA:
1. high body mass

2. high level of activity
3. residual joint instability or malalignment
4. persistent articular surface incongruity
The following risk factors have been identified for cumulative trauma-induced OA:
1. biomechanical factors, e.g. joint malalignment, obesity

2. biochemical factors, e.g. bacterial joint infection
3. age
4. gender
5. characteristics of the playing surface
6. duration and intensity of the particular sport
7. any history of joint injury
(see also Discussion Paper on Cumulative Joint Trauma in the Development of
Osteoarthritis in the Lumbar Spine, Hips, Knees, and Ankles).
CLINICAL FEATURES
OA is a common disease, with more than 75% of individuals over 70 years of age
showing some definite radiographic evidence of OA. While the incidence of OA
increases with age, the disease is not caused solely by aging of articular tissues. Joint
trauma and other factors may accelerate the development of OA, and it is on these
aspects that the Pension Considerations section is focused.
A number of factors has been implicated in the pathogenesis of OA, including but not
limited to age, gender, ethnicity, biochemical (e.g. bone density), and genetics.

OA often affects the joints of the hands, including the distal interphalangeal joints, the
proximal interphalangeal joints, and the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb. Other
joints involved include the cervical spine, the lumbosacral spine, the hip, the knee, and
the first metatarsophalangeal joint. OA is less common in the ankle, wrist, elbow and
shoulder. The metacarpophalangeal joints, wrists, elbows and shoulders are rarely
affected without previous trauma.
While OA is common in most populations, its clinical patterns vary with ethnic
background. For example, OA of the hips is uncommon in Japan and Saudi Arabia but
is prevalent in the United States. Overall, OA occurs with approximately equal
frequency in men and women, although different patterns of joint involvement
predominate in each gender. For example, OA of the hands and knees is more
common in women, whereas OA of the hips is more common in men.
OA is a disease that begins in the articular cartilage but eventually involves the
surrounding tissue, bone and synovium. When the cartilage is absent from the articular
surface, the underlying bone is subjected to greater local stresses. Remodelling of the
bone occurs at the joint margins through the formation of osteophytes, and can be
considerable.
After the initial stages of cartilage degeneration (from many causes, including injury),
there may be a delay of many years before a person feels joint pain or an x-ray shows
osteoarthritic changes. Significant cartilage damage may have occurred before relevant
signs and symptoms appear.
There are known inconsistencies between findings on x-rays and clinical symptoms,
with only 50% to 60% of subjects with radiographic OA being clinically symptomatic.
Further, an absence of x-ray evidence of OA does not exclude the presence of the
disease, particularly in the early stages. Clinical symptoms, which must be recurrent or
continuous after initial manifestation, may precede x-ray findings by up to approximately
10 years.
Any evaluation of x-ray findings may consider whether radiographic scoring methods
were used to evaluate the radiographs, and what criteria have been used for the
diagnosis and grading of OA. The American College of Rheumatology has developed
criteria for x-ray classification of OA, which is widely used in diagnosis and treatment
decisions. The American Medical Association (AMA) Guides to the Evaluation of
Permanent Impairment, 5th edition, state:
“Certain roentgenographic findings that are of diagnostic importance, such as
osteophytes and reactive sclerosis, have no direct bearing on impairment. The best
roentgenographic indicator of disease stage and impairment for a person with
arthritis is the cartilage interval or joint space. The hallmark of all types of arthritis is
thinning of the articular cartilage; this correlates well with disease progress.”

Bearing in mind that, for VAC pension purposes, symptomatic OA is required as

evidence of a “disability” resulting from OA, there are several points which should be
made:
1. While the presence of osteophytes is an early indication of OA, osteophytes
are not a good predictor of symptomatic OA.
2. While the presence of joint space narrowing is an indication of OA, joint space
narrowing is not a good predictor of symptomatic OA.
3. Progression of OA on x-ray does not mean that there is or will be a
worsening of symptomatology.
The following clinical features are often associated with OA:

 History of pain
 Impaired function
 Joint swelling
Pain is typically insidious in onset and gradually progresses, usually for many years.
Flare-ups may be followed by partial or complete remission. Pain is commonly present
when the joint is in motion and is relieved by rest, at least until the advanced stages of
disease are reached. Joints often stiffen for short durations after periods of rest.
Stiffness tends to abate after a few seconds or minutes of joint motion.
Elderly persons manifest symptoms most often; individuals younger than 40 years are
rarely symptomatic.
Although the disease can progress rapidly, the course is usually slowly progressive,
with gradually increasing dysfunction over many years. Fortunately, deterioration is not
inevitable; symptoms may remain mild or may disappear for long periods. It is therefore
difficult to determine the prognosis.
Examination of the involved joints may reveal mild tenderness, pain, restricted range of
movement, joint effusions (collection of fluid in the joint), and crepitus ( a grating noise
on joint movement). Firm swelling (caused by underlying bony proliferation) may be
seen. In advanced OA, gross deformity, bony enlargement, angulation, and marked
loss of joint movement may be seen. Bony fusion is rare.

PENSION CONSIDERATIONS
A. CAUSES AND/OR AGGRAVATION
THE TIMELINES CITED BELOW ARE NOT BINDING. EACH CASE SHOULD
BE ADJUDICATED ON THE EVIDENCE PROVIDED AND ITS OWN MERITS.
General:
 Each claimed joint and specific site affected by OA should be individually
considered on application for pension. The term “generalized” OA may be
used where five or more joints are affected by OA. For VAC pension
purposes, each hand is considered one joint, and each foot is considered one
joint.
 While the incidence of OA increases with age, and while a number of risk
factors has been implicated in OA, including but not limited to gender and
ethnicity, the following section specifies the more important factors for VAC
purposes which can be identified as accelerating the development of OA.
 Where there is no evidence that risk factors, including aging, have contributed
to the development of OA in any given case, no restriction on entitlement
should occur.
1. Specific trauma to a joint, including Internal Derangement of the Knee, prior to

clinical onset or aggravation
For specific trauma to cause or aggravate OA, the following should be evident:
Pain, swelling, or altered mobility, or any other pertinent sign or symptom,
should occur in the joint within 24 hours of the injury; and
These acute symptoms and signs should generally last several days following
their onset except where medical intervention for the trauma to that joint has
occurred (“Medical intervention” includes but is not limited to physician-
recommended medication; immobilization of the joint or limb by splinting, sling
or similar mechanisms; injection of corticosteroids or local anesthetics into the
joint; aspiration of the joint; surgery to the joint.); and
Signs/symptoms of OA must be present within 25 years of the specific
trauma.
Specific trauma means physical injury to a joint, including a fracture involving the
intra-articular surface of the joint, surgery, and penetrating injuries from
projectiles such as bullets and shrapnel.
Specific trauma includes internal derangement of the knee.

Specific trauma excludes soft tissue injury (such as bursitis and tendonitis) which
produces acute signs and symptoms that may last several weeks and does not
result in an unstable joint.

The risk of developing OA from a single major impact to a joint depends, at least
in part, on the size and depth of the injury. Injury which directly damages
articular cartilage and underlying subchondral bone is strongly associated with
OA. Injury of supporting structures, e.g. ligaments and tendons, may accelerate
the development of OA in weight-bearing joints if the injury has resulted in an
unstable joint.
2. Cumulative joint trauma, as defined by VAC, prior to clinical onset or aggravation:

LUMBAR SPINE, HIP, KNEE, ANKLE OA only
See Appendix A, attached, and Discussion Paper on Cumulative Joint Trauma in

the Development of Osteoarthritis of the Lumbar Spine, Hips, Knees and Ankles.
3. Obesity
Obesity is considered a risk factor in causation of OA for the following sites:

 knee - for unilateral or bilateral knee OA
 hip - for bilateral hip OA only
There is insufficient evidence at this time to support obesity in causation of OA
lumbar spine.
Obesity is considered a risk factor in aggravation of OA for the following sites:

 knee- for unilateral or bilateral knee OA
 hip - for bilateral hip OA only
 lumbar spine
For obesity to cause or aggravate OA of the knee(s), hips or lumbar spine, the
following should be evident:
Obesity should have produced a significant weight gain, of the order of a 20%
increase in baseline weight; and
Obesity should be associated with a BMI of 30 or greater; and
Obesity should have been present for at least 10 continuous years prior to
clinical onset or aggravation.
For VAC purposes, obesity is a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. The
BMI table is contained in the Gastrointestinal Chapter of the Table of Disabilities.
BMI = weight in kgs
height in metres squared
Obesity is defined as an increase in body weight by way of fat accumulation.

The definition excludes weight gain resulting from:
 edema
 peritoneal or pleural effusion
 muscle hypertrophy

4. Vibration prior to clinical onset or aggravation: WRISTS, ELBOWS, HANDS only
For vibration to cause or aggravate OA of the wrists, elbows, or hands, the

following criteria should be met:
Vibration should occur for at least 1 hour per day, on 51% of days worked, for at
least 10 years; and
Signs and/or symptoms of OA should occur during the activity producing the
vibration, or within 25 years of the activity ceasing.
Vibration is considered a risk factor for OA in the following sites:
 wrists
 elbows
 hands
Vibration can occur from a number of tools, including pneumatic tools and other
mechanized tools, such as a chain saw.
A pneumatic tool is any tool driven by compressed air, including but not limited to
jack hammers, pneumatic drills, compacters, large pop rivet guns of the type
used on construction sites, sand blasting equipment, and spray painting
equipment.
5. Permanent ligamentous instability of a joint confirmed by medical examination

prior to clinical onset or aggravation
Permanent ligamentous instability is a continuing or recurring abnormal mobility

and instability of a joint, in which the ligaments are overstretched and become
loose, and the joint, in turn, becomes abnormally mobile and unstable. It may be
due to several causes, including specific trauma.
Permanent ligamentous instability should be demonstrated on medical

examination.
6. Malalignment of a joint prior to clinical onset or aggravation
Malalignment means the presence of significant joint displacement resulting from

the effect of underlying muscle weakness, deformity of other joints, a mild joint
dysplasia, anatomical variances such as varus and valgus deformities of the
knee, and structural leg length inequality as defined by VAC (see entitlement
guideline on Leg Length Inequality).
For malalignment of a joint to cause or aggravate OA, malalignment should be
present for a period of at least 5 years.

7. Leg length inequality, as defined by VAC, prior to clinical onset or aggravation:

other than Leg length inequality producing malalignment (see Pension
Consideration # 6 on Malalignment)
See Discussion Paper on Leg Length Inequality.
8. A neurotrophic arthropathy (Charcot joints) of the joint prior to clinical onset or

aggravation
A neurotropic arthropathy is a neurologic disorder that causes a loss of sensory

nerve functions. It is sometimes accompanied by destructive arthropathy similar
to OA. The lack of normal joint sensation in itself is not sufficient to result in
neurotropic arthropathy. Examples of neurotropic arthropathy include:
 tapes dorsalis
 neuropathy in diabetes mellitus
 syringomyelia
 demyelinating disease
 meningomyelocele
9. Aseptic necrosis of the joint prior to clinical onset or aggravation
10. Paget’s disease of the joint prior to clinical onset or aggravation
11. Inability to obtain appropriate clinical management
Exclusions:
Despite research efforts to date, there is a lack of sufficient evidence at this time
to establish for pension purposes a relationship between OA and the following:
 intra-articular corticosteroid injections

 harsh conditions, e.g. extremes in temperature, sleeping on the ground,
excessive dryness or dampness.

B. MEDICAL CONDITIONS WHICH ARE TO BE INCLUDED IN

ENTITLEMENT/ASSESSMENT
Osteoarthritis includes all soft tissue and joint disorders in the area of the
affected joint. Examples include, but are not limited to the following:
1. OA of the glenohumeral joint of the shoulder:

 adhesive capsulitis
 rotator cuff syndrome
 subacromial impingement syndrome
 calcific tendinitis
 supraspinatus tendonitis
 subacromial bursitis
2. OA of the cervical spine:

 degenerative disc disease of cervical spine
 spondylosis of cervical spine
 mechanical cervical pain
 chronic cervical sprain/strain
 chronic whiplash syndrome
3. OA of the thoracic spine:

 degenerative disc disease of thoracic spine
 spondylosis of thoracic spine
 mechanical thoracic pain
 chronic thoracic sprain/strain
4. OA of the lumbar spine:

 degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine
 spondylosis of lumbar spine
 mechanical low back pain
 chronic lumbar sprain/strain
5. OA of the hip:
 trochanteric bursitis
6. OA of the knee (tibial femoral OA):

 chondromalacia patellae
 patello-femoral syndrome
 internal derangement of the knee
 patellofemoral OA
 prepatellar bursitis
 suprapatellar bursitis
 medial and lateral collateral ligamentous sprain

7. OA of the ankle:
 chronic ankle sprain
 calcaneal bursitis
 Achilles tendonitis
8. OA of the wrist:
9. OA of all fingers and thumbs:
10. OA of the elbow:

 chronic olecranon bursitis
 chronic medial epicondylitis
 chronic lateral epicondylitis
 exostosis of olecranon
C. COMMON MEDICAL CONDITIONS WHICH MAY RESULT FROM

OSTEOARTHROSIS/OSTEOARTHRITIS AND/OR ITS TREATMENT

APPENDIX A
Cumulative Joint Trauma in the development of OA of the Lumbar Spine, Hips,
Knees and Ankles.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR VAC PENSION PURPOSES
Please note :
OA can be diagnosed by symptoms or pathology. For VAC purposes, the “disability” of
OA is defined by the existence of relevant signs and/or symptoms; x-ray evidence alone
is insufficient.
There are several risk factors for OA which have been identified in the literature. For
the purposes of this paper, however, only the following risk factors, as defined in the
following Definitions subsections, are considered in the relationship between cumulative
joint trauma and OA:
 obesity;
 an anatomically abnormal joint;
 a joint that has been affected by specific trauma
The recommendations should be read in conjunction with the entitlement guideline on

Osteoarthrosis/Osteoarthritis.
The timeframes required to cause, accelerate or aggravate OA may be shorter if a

combination of factors exists.
LUMBAR SPINE:
Definitions:
 Cumulative joint trauma associated with occupations means manual lifting or

carrying of loads of at least 25 kg with occasional manual lifting or carrying of
loads of at least 35 kg; or manual pushing or pulling of loads of at least 25 kg
with occasional manual pushing or pulling of loads of at least 35 kg.
 Normal spine means a spine that is not anatomically abnormal or a spine that
has not been subject of specific trauma, as defined below.
 Anatomically abnormal lumbar spine means a lumbar spine that is affected by

underlying muscle weakness or imbalances, neurologic abnormalities, or
anatomic variations (such as spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine).
 Specific trauma means significant physical injury to a joint, including a fracture

involving the intra-articular surface of the joint, surgery, and penetrating injuries
from projectiles.
 Obesity may aggravate lumbar spine OA.

Obesity means a significant increase in body weight by way of fat accumulation

(of the order of a 20% increase in baseline weight), with a BMI of 30 or greater,
which have been present for at least 10 continuous years.
BMI = weight in kgs
This definition excludes weight gain resulting from edema, peritoneal or pleural
effusion, or muscle hypertrophy.
CAUSATION:
1. Cumulative joint trauma associated with occupations in an individual with a normal

lumbar spine
For cumulative joint trauma associated with occupations to cause OA in an individual

with a normal lumbar spine, the following criteria should be met:
Cumulative joint trauma associated with occupations should take place for at
least 2 hours per day, on at least 51% of days worked, for a period of at least 10
years; and
Signs/symptoms of OA should be present in the affected part of the lumbar spine

during this timeframe or within 25 years after the activity ceases.
2. Cumulative joint trauma associated with occupations in an individual with an

anatomically abnormal lumbar spine or in an individual with a lumbar spine that has
previously sustained specific trauma
For cumulative joint trauma associated with occupations to contribute to OA in an

individual with an anatomically abnormal lumbar spine or in an individual with a
lumbar spine that has previously sustained specific trauma, the following criteria
should be met:
least 2 hours per day, on at least 51% of days worked, for a period of at least 5
years; and
Signs/symptoms of OA should be present in the affected part of the lumbar spine

during this timeframe or within 25 years after the activity ceases.

AGGRAVATION:
1. Cumulative joint trauma associated with occupations in a non-obese individual in the

aggravation of pre-existing lumbar spine OA
For cumulative joint trauma associated with occupations in a non-obese individual to

aggravate OA lumbar spine, the following criteria should be met:
Increased signs/symptoms of OA develop during the activity, or within 30 days of
stopping the activity; and
Increased signs/symptoms of OA last for a period of at least 6 months, on a

continuous or recurrent basis, whether or not the activity has stopped.
2. Obesity may be a factor in aggravation of lumbar spine OA when the criteria set out
in the Definitions subsection are met.
Exclusions:
The following activities are not considered activities which would cause OA in a
normal lumbar spine or aggravate OA lumbar spine:
 running that is not of high intensity or high mileage
 stairclimbing*
 walking on uneven ground*
*The level and intensity of the noted activities are what is anticipated to occur
on an informal basis in daily life.
HIPS:
Definitions:
 Cumulative joint trauma associated with occupations means kneeling or

squatting in combination with carrying of loads of at least 35 kg on most days, or
lifting of 35 kg loads in a twisted or bent position.
 Cumulative joint trauma associated with sports and/or exercise activities means
high-intensity, acute, direct joint impact as a result of contact with other
participants, playing surfaces, or equipment; or repetitive joint impact with
torsional loading (twisting); or running of high intensity and high mileage, as in
marathon running or training.
 Normal hip means a hip that is not anatomically abnormal or a hip that has not
been subject of specific trauma, as defined below.
 Anatomically abnormal hip means a hip that is affected by underlying muscle

weakness or imbalances, neurologic abnormalities, or anatomic variations (such
as valgus deformity of the hips, or a mild joint dysplasia).


from projectiles.
 Obesity may cause or aggravate bilateral hip OA.

(of the order of a 20% increase in baseline weight), with a body mass index (BMI)
of 30 or greater, which have been present for at least 10 continuous years.
BMI = weight in kgs
CAUSATION:
1. Cumulative joint trauma associated with occupations in a non-obese individual with a

normal hip
For cumulative joint trauma associated with occupations to cause OA in a normal

hip in a non-obese individual, the following criteria should be met:
least 2 hours per day, on at least 51% of days worked, for a period of at least
10 years; and
Signs/symptoms of OA should be present in the affected part of the hip during
this timeframe or within 25 years after the activity ceases.
2. Cumulative joint trauma associated with occupations in an obese individual
For cumulative joint trauma associated with occupations to contribute to OA of

the hips in an obese individual, the following criteria should be met:
Bilateral hip OA must have developed; and
Cumulative joint trauma associated with occupations should have taken place
for at least 2 hours per day, on at least 51% of days worked, for a period of at
least 5 years; and
Signs/symptoms of OA should have been present in the hip joints during this
timeframe or within 25 years after the activity ceased.

anatomically abnormal hip or in an individual with a hip that has previously sustained
specific trauma

the hip in an individual with an anatomically abnormal hip or in an individual with
a hip that has previously sustained specific trauma, the following criteria should
be met:

5 years; and
Signs/symptoms of OA should be present in the hip joint during this timeframe
or within 25 years after the activity ceases.
4. Cumulative joint trauma associated with sports and/or exercise activities in a

non-obese individual with a normal hip
For cumulative joint trauma associated with sports and/or exercise activities to
cause OA in a normal hip in a non-obese individual, the following criteria should
be met:
Cumulative joint trauma associated with sports and/or exercise activities
should take place for a total of at least 5 hours per week for a period of at
least 10 years; and
Signs/symptoms of OA should be present in the hip joint during this timeframe
or within 25 years after the activity ceases.
5. Cumulative joint trauma associated with sports and/or exercise activities in an

obese individual
contribute to OA of the hips in an obese individual, the following criteria should
be met:
Bilateral hip OA must have developed; and
should have taken place for a total of at least 5 hours per week for a period of
at least 5 years; and
Signs/symptoms of OA should have been present in the hip joints during this
timeframe or within 25 years after the activity ceased.

individual with an anatomically abnormal hip or in an individual with a hip that has
previously sustained specific trauma

the hip in an individual with an anatomically abnormal hip or in an individual with
a hip that has previously sustained specific trauma, the following criteria should
be met:
should take place for a total of 5 hours per week for a period of at least 5
years; and
Signs/symptoms of OA should be present in the hip joint during this
timeframe or within 25 years after the activity ceases.

AGGRAVATION:
1. Cumulative joint trauma associated with occupations in a non-obese individual in

the aggravation of pre-existing hip OA
For cumulative joint trauma associated with occupations in a non-obese

individual to aggravate hip OA, the following criteria should be met;
Increased signs/symptoms of OA develop during the activity, or within 30
days of stopping the activity; and

non-obese individual in the aggravation of pre-existing hip OA
For cumulative joint trauma associated with sports and/or activities in a non-
obese individual to aggravate hip OA, the following criteria should be met;
3. Obesity may be a factor in aggravation of bilateral hip OA when the criteria set
out in the Definitions subsection are met.
Exclusions:
The following activities are not considered activities which would cause OA in a
normal hip joint, or aggravate hip OA:
 stairclimbing*
*The level and intensity of the noted activities are what is anticipated to
occur on an informal basis in daily life.
KNEES:
Definitions:

squatting in combination with carrying of loads of at least 35 kg on most days, or
lifting of 35 kg loads in a twisted or bent position.
 Cumulative joint trauma associated with sports and/or exercise activities means
high-intensity, acute, direct joint impact as a result of contact with other

participants, playing surfaces, or equipment; or repetitive joint impact with

torsional loading (twisting); or running of high intensity and high mileage, such as
in marathon running or training.
 Normal knee means a knee that is not anatomically abnormal or a knee that has
not been subject of specific trauma, as defined below.
 Anatomically abnormal knee means a knee that is affected by underlying muscle

weakness or imbalances, neurologic abnormalities, or anatomic variations (such
as valgus or varus deformity of the knee, or a mild joint dysplasia).

from projectiles.
 Obesity may cause or aggravate unilateral or bilateral OA of the knee.

(of the order of a 20% increase in baseline weight), with a body mass index
(BMI) of 30 or greater, which have been present for at least 10 continuous years.
BMI = weight in kgs
CAUSATION:
1. Cumulative joint trauma associated with occupations in an individual with a

normal knee

knee in a non-obese individual, the following criteria should be met:
10 years; and
Signs/symptoms of OA should be present in the knee joint during this
2. Cumulative joint trauma associated with occupations in an obese individual or

in an individual with an anatomically abnormal knee or in an individual with a
knee that has previously sustained specific trauma

the knee in an obese individual, or in an individual with an anatomically
abnormal knee , or in an individual with a knee that has previously sustained
specific trauma, the following criteria should be met:

5 years; and

non-obese individual with a normal knee
cause OA in a normal knee in a non-obese individual, the following criteria
should be met:
least 10 years; and

obese individual or in an individual with an anatomically abnormal knee or in an
individual with a knee that has previously sustained specific trauma

the knee in an obese individual, or in an individual with an anatomically
abnormal knee, or in an individual with a knee that has previously sustained
specific trauma, the following criteria should be met:
least 5 years; and
AGGRAVATION:
1. Cumulative joint trauma associated with occupations in a non-obese individual in

the aggravation of pre-existing knee OA
For cumulative joint trauma associated with occupations in a non-obese individual

to aggravate knee OA, the following criteria should be met:
Increased signs/symptoms of OA develop during the activity, or within
30 days of stopping the activity; and
Increased signs/symptoms of OA last for a period of at least 6 months,
on a continuous or recurrent basis, whether or not the activity has
stopped.

2. Cumulative joint trauma associated with sports and/or exercise activities in a non-
obese individual in the aggravation of pre-existing knee OA
For cumulative joint trauma associated with sports and/or exercise activities in a
non-obese individual to aggravate knee OA, the following criteria should be met:
Increased signs/symptoms of OA develop during the activity, or within
30 days of stopping the activity; and
Increased signs/symptoms of OA last for a period of at least 6 months,
on a continuous or recurrent basis, whether or not the activity has
stopped.
3. Obesity may be a factor in aggravation of unilateral or bilateral knee OA when the

criteria set out in the Definitions subsection are met.
Exclusions:
The following activities are not considered activities which would cause OA in
a normal knee joint, or aggravate knee OA:
 stairclimbing*
*The level and intensity of the noted activities are what is anticipated to
occur on an informal basis in daily life.
ANKLES:
Definitions:

squatting in combination with carrying of loads of at least 35 kg on most days,
or lifting of 35 kg loads in a twisted or bent position.
 Normal ankle means an ankle that is not anatomically abnormal or an ankle

that has not been subject of specific trauma, as defined below.
 Anatomically abnormal ankle means an ankle affected by underlying muscle

weakness or imbalances, neurologic abnormalities, or anatomic variations
(such as valgus or varus deformity of the ankle, or a mild joint dysplasia).
 Specific trauma means significant physical injury to a joint, including a

fracture involving the intra-articular surface of the joint, surgery, and
penetrating injuries from projectiles.

CAUSATION:
1. Cumulative joint trauma associated with occupations in an individual with a

normal ankle

ankle, the following criteria should be met:
10 years; and
Signs/symptoms of OA should be present in the ankle joint during this

anatomically abnormal ankle or in an individual with a ankle that has previously
sustained specific trauma

the ankle in an individual with an anatomically abnormal ankle or in an individual
with an ankle that has previously sustained specific trauma, the following criteria
should be met:
5 years; and
Signs/symptoms of OA should be present in the ankle joint during this
AGGRAVATION:
1. Cumulative joint trauma associated with occupations in the aggravation of pre-

existing ankle OA
For cumulative joint trauma associated with occupations to aggravate ankle
OA, the following criteria should be met:
Increased signs/symptoms of OA last for a period of at least 6 months, on
a continuous or recurrent basis, whether or not the activity has stopped.

Exclusions:
Obesity is not considered a risk factor in ankle OA
The following activities are not considered activities which would cause OA in
a normal ankle joint, or aggravate ankle OA:
 stairclimbing*
*The level and intensity of the noted activities are what is anticipated to occur
on an informal basis in daily life.

REFERENCES FOR OSTEOARTHROSIS/OSTEOARTHRITIS
1. Australia. Department of Veterans Affairs: medical research in relation to the

Statement of Principles concerning Osteoarthrosis, which cites the following as
references:
1) Lane, N.E., and Buckwalter, J.A., Exercise: A Cause of Osteoarthritis?
Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America, Volume 19, Number 3,
August 1993, pp 617-633.
2) Anderson, J.J., and Felson, D.T., Factors associated with osteoarthritis of
the knee in the first national Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
(HANES I) American Journal of Epidemiology, 1988, Vol. 128, No. 1, pp
179-189.
3) Saville, P.D., and Dickson, J.: Age and weight in osteoarthritis of the hip,
Arthritis and Rheumatism, 11:635, 1968.
4) Sergent, J.S., Polyarticular Arthritis, in Kelley, W.N., Harris, E.D., Ruddy,
S., and Sledge, C.B., (editors), Textbook of Rheumatology, Fourth Edition,
Volume 2, 1993, W.B. Saunders Co., p 388.
5) Hoffman, D.F., Arthritis and Exercise, Primary Care, Vol 20, No 4,
December 1993, pp 895-910.
6) Warren, R.F., and Marshall, J.L., Injuries to the anterior and medial
collateral ligaments of the knee: A long-term follow up of 86 cases, Part II.
Clin Orthopaedics, 136:198, 1978.
7) McDonald, W.J. Jr, and Damerson, T.R. Jr: The untreated cruciate
ligament rupture, Clin Orthopaedics, 172:158, 1983.
8) Hoffman, D.F., Arthritis and Exercise, Primary Care, Vol 20, No 4,
December 1993, pp 895-910.
9) Hannan, M.T., Felson, D.T., Anderson J.J., and Naimark A., Habitual
physical activity is not associated with knee osteoarthritis: The
Framingham Study., Journal of Rheumatology 1993, 20:4, pp 704-709.
10) Venn, A.J. and Guest, C.S., Chronic Morbidity of Former Prisoners of War
and other Australian Veterans, Medical Journal of Australia, Vol 155, Nov
18, 1991, pp 705-712.
11) Beebe, Gilbert W., Follow up studies of WWII and Korean war prisoners,
Amercan Journal of Epidemiology, Volume 101, Number 5, 1975, pp400
422.
12) National Centre for Health Statistics: Prevalence of osteoarthritis in adults
by age, sex, race and geographic area: United States 1960-1962.
Washington DC: Government Printing Office: Vital and Health Statistics,
1966, No. 15, Series 11., quoted in Lane, N.E., and Buckwalter, J.A.
preceding.
13) Panush, R.S., and Brown, D.G., Exercise and arthritis. Sports Medicine.
1987, 4:54-64.
14) Lane, N.E., Bloch, D.A., Jones, H.H., et al., Long-distance running, bone
density and osteoarthritis. JAMA 1986, 255:1147.

16) Lane, N.E., and Buckwalter, J.A., Exercise: A Cause of Osteoarthritis?
Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America, Volume 19, Number 3,
August 1993, pp 617-633.
18) Felson, D.T., Hannan, M.T., Naimark, A., Berkeley, J., Gordon, G.,
Wilson, P.F.W., Anderson, J., Occupational Physical Demands, Knee
Bending, and Knee Osteoarthritis: Results from the Framingham Study.,
The Journal of Rheumatology 1991; 18:10, pp 1587-1592.
20) Cooper C., McAlindon, T., Coggon, D., Egger, P., and Dieppe, P.,
Occupational activity and osteoarthritis of the knee, Annals of Rheumatic
Diseases, 1994, 53: pp 90-93.
21) Vingard, E., Alfredsson, L., Goldie, I., and Hogstedt, C., Occupation and
Osteoarthritis of the Hip and Knee: A Register-Based Cohort Study.,
International Journal of Epidemiology, 1991, Vol 20: No. 4, pp 1025-1031.
22) Lawrence J.S., and Aitken-Swan J., Rheumatism in Miners: Part I:
Rheumatic Complaints, British Journal of Industrial Medicine, 1952, 9, pp
1-18.
23) Kellgren J.H., and Lawrence J.S., Rheumatism in Miners: Part II: X-Ray
Study, British Journal of Industrial Medicine, 1952, 9, pp 197-207.
24) Kujala, U.M., Kaprio, J., and Sarna, S., Osteoarthritis of weight bearing
Joints of former elite male athletes. British Medical Journal, Vol 308, 22
January 1994, pp 231-234.
25) Burry, H.C., Sport, Exercise and Arthritis, British Journal of Rheumatology,
1987, 26: 386-388.
` 26) Ernst, E., Smoking, a cause of back trouble? British Journal of
Rheumatology, 1993; 32:239-242.
27) Hart, D.J., and Spector, T.D., Cigarette smoking and the risk of
osteoarthritis in women in the general population: the Chingford study,
Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, 1993; 52:93-96.
28) Samanta, A., Jones, A., Regan, M., Wilson, S., and Doherty, M., Is
osteoarthritis in women affected by hormonal changes or smoking? British
Journal of Rheumatology, 1993; 32: 366-370.
2. Berkow, Robert and Andrew J. Fletcher, eds. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis
and Therapy. 16th ed. New Jersey: Merck, 1992
3. Daniel J. McCarty. Arthritis and Allied Conditions. 11th ed. Lea and Febriger:
Philadelphia, 1989.

4. Dwight D. Robinson. Osteoarthritis. Sci. Amer. Med. Chapter 15, Section X.
5. Fauci, Anthony S. and Eugene Braunwald, et al, eds. Harrison’s Principles of

Internal Medicine. 14th ed. Montreal: McGraw-Hill, 1998.
6. Felson, D.T., et al. Annals of Internal Medicine 2000; 133: 635-646.
7. Kelley, Harris, Ruddy, Sledge. Textbook of Rheumatology. 5th ed. W.B.

Saunders: Montreal, 1981. Vol 2. p.1369.
8. Lane, N.E., and Buckwalter, J.A., Exercise: A Cause of Osteoarthritis? Rheum.

Dis. Clinics of North America, vol 19, no 3, August 1993, pp 617-633.
9. Scientific American Medicine. Osteoarthritis, Dec. 1994, c.X.

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ENTITLEMENT ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES

This guideline excludes inflammatory and depositional joint disease.

MPC See individual code for affected joint

For VAC purposes, osteoarthrosis is a non-inflammatory joint disease characterized by

PLEASE NOTE: An application for pension entitlement for OA requires that a

VETERANS AFFAIRS CANADA FEBRUARY 2005

Diagnosis by a qualified medical practitioner is required. While x-rays and other

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

1. Synovial lined joints

There are six types of synovial joints in the body.

1) plane joints - permit gliding or sliding movements, e.g. vertebral facet

2. Synarthroses or fibrous joints

VETERANS AFFAIRS CANADA FEBRUARY 2005

Diseases of the synovial joints, such as OA or rheumatoid arthritis, are due to

OA may be classified as either primary, when there is no obvious predisposing cause,

VETERANS AFFAIRS CANADA FEBRUARY 2005

A number of risk factors has been implicated in the pathogenesis of OA generally,

1. high body mass

1. biomechanical factors, e.g. joint malalignment, obesity

VETERANS AFFAIRS CANADA FEBRUARY 2005

VETERANS AFFAIRS CANADA FEBRUARY 2005

Bearing in mind that, for VAC pension purposes, symptomatic OA is required as

The following clinical features are often associated with OA:

VETERANS AFFAIRS CANADA FEBRUARY 2005

A. CAUSES AND/OR AGGRAVATION

1. Specific trauma to a joint, including Internal Derangement of the Knee, prior to

Specific trauma includes internal derangement of the knee.

VETERANS AFFAIRS CANADA FEBRUARY 2005

2. Cumulative joint trauma, as defined by VAC, prior to clinical onset or aggravation:

See Appendix A, attached, and Discussion Paper on Cumulative Joint Trauma in

Obesity is considered a risk factor in causation of OA for the following sites:

Obesity is considered a risk factor in aggravation of OA for the following sites:

Obesity is defined as an increase in body weight by way of fat accumulation.

VETERANS AFFAIRS CANADA FEBRUARY 2005

4. Vibration prior to clinical onset or aggravation: WRISTS, ELBOWS, HANDS only

For vibration to cause or aggravate OA of the wrists, elbows, or hands, the

5. Permanent ligamentous instability of a joint confirmed by medical examination

Permanent ligamentous instability is a continuing or recurring abnormal mobility

Permanent ligamentous instability should be demonstrated on medical

6. Malalignment of a joint prior to clinical onset or aggravation

Malalignment means the presence of significant joint displacement resulting from

VETERANS AFFAIRS CANADA FEBRUARY 2005

7. Leg length inequality, as defined by VAC, prior to clinical onset or aggravation:

See Discussion Paper on Leg Length Inequality.

8. A neurotrophic arthropathy (Charcot joints) of the joint prior to clinical onset or

A neurotropic arthropathy is a neurologic disorder that causes a loss of sensory

9. Aseptic necrosis of the joint prior to clinical onset or aggravation

10. Paget’s disease of the joint prior to clinical onset or aggravation

11. Inability to obtain appropriate clinical management

 intra-articular corticosteroid injections

VETERANS AFFAIRS CANADA FEBRUARY 2005

B. MEDICAL CONDITIONS WHICH ARE TO BE INCLUDED IN

1. OA of the glenohumeral joint of the shoulder:

2. OA of the cervical spine:

3. OA of the thoracic spine:

4. OA of the lumbar spine:

6. OA of the knee (tibial femoral OA):

VETERANS AFFAIRS CANADA FEBRUARY 2005

9. OA of all fingers and thumbs: