Final answer:
The incorrect statement regarding primary risk factors for decreased range of motion is that 'The less mobile a joint, the weaker the joint.' In reality, increased mobility in a joint, like the shoulder, can lead to less stability, whereas more stable joints like the carpal bones are typically less mobile. Osteoarthritis is a key condition affecting range of motion, with aging, injuries and obesity as contributing risk factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Primary risk factors for decreased range of motion include joint injury, excess body weight, and a family history of osteoarthritis (OA). However, the statement that 'The less mobile a joint, the weaker the joint' is incorrect. In fact, it is generally the opposite - the more mobile a joint, the less stable and potentially weaker it is, as seen in the case of the shoulder joint, which allows a great range of motion but is also more susceptible to dislocation and injury compared to the more stable but less mobile carpal bones of the wrist.
Conditions like OA can lead to symptoms such as joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, and these symptoms can progress from occurring after exercise to being constant. Risk factors such as aging, sport injuries, fractures, and obesity contribute to the 'wear and tear' of the articular cartilage at synovial joints, exacerbating the breakdown of joint cartilage and bone. Treatments for OA may include weight loss, low-impact exercise, medications, and in severe cases, joint replacement surgery.