Is one person more likely to develop osteoarthritis pain than another? Yes. There are several things that increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis pain. The first is age. As you age, your body stops producing as much lubricant for your joints and it also stops repairing damages to the cartilage. The next common risk factor is injuries. Whether from trauma to the joints, repetitive stress injuries, or from athletic injury, joints that have been damaged are at a higher risk of osteoarthritis than those that have not. It is especially important to avoid these injuries in youth when joints are still developing. Your weight also has a profound effect on your joints. Those who are overweight risk damaging their joints. Gender, though not a determining factor in osteoarthritis, also plays a role in your risk. Women over 50 are more likely to get it than men. Lastly, there have been links to family history; certain genes may be more likely to cause osteoarthritis.