The objective of this review was to assess the scientific basis describing the influence of occupational exposures on osteoarthritis. This systematic literature review has uncovered a substantial body of evidence in support of increased risk of hip and knee osteoarthritis associated with a variety of occupational exposures. Efforts of prevention are warranted. People with the following occupational exposures more often develop knee and hip osteoarthritis than people who are not subjected to the specified exposure to the same degree; those who: work with manual handling ( lifting); have physically demanding work tasks; walk at work; have climbing tasks at work ( climbing stairs or ladders). People with the following occupational exposures more often develop hip osteoarthritis over time than people who are not subjected to the specified exposure at work to the same degree; those who: work in a bent or twisted position. People with the following occupational exposures more often develop knee osteoarthritis over time than people who are not subjected to the specified exposure at work to the same degree; those who: work in a kneeling or squatting position; experience heavy lifting in combination with a kneeling or squatting posture; work standing up. Women and men with similar occupational exposures develop osteoarthritis to a similar extent.
