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Understanding Your ADAMTS14 Result and Joint Health

Arthritis, especially osteoarthritis, is a common cause of joint pain and stiffness that often affects the knees, hands, hips, and spine. Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage, the protective tissue that cushions joints, breaks down over time. The ADAMTS14 gene contributes to healthy cartilage by helping form type II collagen, a major structural component of cartilage. Variations in ADAMTS14 can affect how well cartilage is repaired and maintained, which can influence your risk for osteoarthritis.

PlexusDx does not provide medical advice and the reader should always consult with their healthcare provider. The information here is educational and intended to help you understand a genetic predisposition and practical ways to support joint health.

How ADAMTS14 Can Influence Joint Health

  • ADAMTS14 is involved in the formation and maintenance of type II collagen, which helps cartilage resist wear and tear.
  • Changes in ADAMTS14 function can shift the balance between cartilage breakdown and repair, potentially making cartilage more vulnerable over time.
  • Genetic risk is one factor among many. Age, body weight, prior joint injuries, alignment, and lifestyle habits all affect osteoarthritis risk and progression.

Practical Ways to Support Your Joints

Regardless of your ADAMTS14 genotype, a proactive approach can help maintain joint function and reduce symptom risk. Key strategies include diet, weight management, regular exercise, injury prevention, and targeted testing when appropriate.

Diet and Nutrition

  • Follow an anti-inflammatory eating pattern that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and lean proteins.
  • Include sources of omega-3 fats such as fatty fish, walnuts, flaxseed, or algae-based options to help modulate inflammation.
  • Limit processed foods, refined sugars, and excess saturated fats which can promote systemic inflammation and weight gain.
  • Maintain adequate vitamin D and calcium intake for bone health through diet and safe sun exposure as appropriate.

Supplements to Consider

  • Omega-3 supplements may help reduce joint inflammation when dietary intake is low.
  • Vitamin D can be useful if levels are low. Check vitamin D status with your healthcare provider before starting supplements.
  • Glucosamine and chondroitin are commonly used for joint comfort, though responses vary. Discuss benefits and risks with your provider.

Exercise and Movement

  • Prioritize regular low-impact activities such as walking, cycling, swimming, and aquatic exercise to build strength and preserve joint mobility.
  • Incorporate resistance training 2 to 3 times per week to support muscles around joints and improve joint stability.
  • Include flexibility and balance exercises to reduce fall risk and improve joint range of motion.

Weight and Injury Prevention

  • Maintaining a healthy weight reduces mechanical stress on weight-bearing joints, especially the knees and hips.
  • Avoid repetitive joint injuries and use proper biomechanics during exercise and daily tasks.
  • If you participate in sports, use appropriate footwear, protective gear, and progressive training to reduce the risk of acute and overuse injuries.

When to Talk to Your Healthcare Provider

  • New or worsening joint pain, swelling, instability, or decreased range of motion.
  • Significant changes in daily function or sleep due to joint symptoms.
  • If you are considering starting supplements, medications, or a new exercise program.
  • To discuss targeted testing such as X-rays, MRI, or blood tests to rule out other causes of joint symptoms.

Genetic Interpretation: rs4747096 in ADAMTS14

2 effect alleles (GG genotype)

If you have the GG genotype for rs4747096, you carry two copies of the effect allele. This genotype is associated with an increased risk of osteoarthritis, particularly in the knee.

How the variation can affect your joints

  • ADAMTS14 helps form type II collagen. With the GG genotype, cartilage repair and collagen formation may be less efficient, which can make cartilage more prone to wear over time.
  • This is a predisposition and does not mean osteoarthritis is certain. Environmental and lifestyle factors strongly influence whether symptoms develop.

What you can do

  • Focus on weight management to reduce stress on knees and hips.
  • Adopt an anti-inflammatory diet emphasizing omega-3 fats from food or supplements if needed.
  • Engage in regular low-impact cardio and strength training to build joint-supporting muscles.
  • Consider baseline joint assessment with your healthcare provider if you have prior injuries or persistent pain.
1 effect allele (AG genotype)

If you have the AG genotype for rs4747096, you carry one copy of the effect allele. This genotype is associated with a likely increased risk of osteoarthritis, especially of the knee, though the effect is more modest than two effect alleles.

How the variation can affect your joints

  • One copy of the G allele may slightly alter ADAMTS14 activity, which can shift the balance between cartilage breakdown and repair and make cartilage somewhat more susceptible to wear.
  • Genetics are only part of the picture. Lifestyle and mechanical factors strongly influence outcomes.

What you can do

  • Prioritize joint-supporting habits such as maintaining a healthy weight and regular low-impact exercise.
  • Eat an anti-inflammatory diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and sources of omega-3 fats.
  • Protect joints from repetitive stress and seek early evaluation for persistent pain or functional changes.
0 effect alleles (AA genotype)

If you have the AA genotype for rs4747096, you carry two copies of the non-effect allele. This genotype is associated with typical risk for osteoarthritis related to ADAMTS14.

How the variation can affect your joints

  • Your ADAMTS14-related risk is typical, meaning you do not carry the specific variant that may disrupt type II collagen formation.
  • Osteoarthritis risk still depends on many factors including age, weight, joint alignment, and prior injuries.

What you can do

  • Continue joint-supportive behaviors such as an anti-inflammatory diet, regular exercise, and weight management.
  • Monitor for early signs of joint changes and seek evaluation for persistent symptoms.
  • Use injury prevention strategies and maintain muscle strength around vulnerable joints.

Practical Monitoring and Tests

  • Clinical assessment by your healthcare provider if you have persistent joint pain or functional decline.
  • Imaging such as X-ray or MRI may be used to evaluate joint structure and cartilage status when clinically indicated.
  • Blood tests can help rule out inflammatory or autoimmune causes of joint symptoms when necessary.

Taking steps now to reduce inflammation, support joint mechanics, and protect cartilage can help preserve joint health over time. PlexusDx does not provide medical advice and the reader should always consult with their healthcare provider to interpret genetic results in the context of personal medical history and to design a plan tailored to your needs.