Knee osteoarthritis isn’t inevitable — here’s what you can do
Knee osteoarthritis is a common, non-inevitable condition caused by cartilage breakdown that significantly impacts quality of life. Experts suggest that lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy weight and strengthening leg muscles, can help manage symptoms and prevent progression.
Why it matters
As a leading cause of disability and lost productivity, understanding preventative measures for osteoarthritis is critical for aging populations and public health.
Knee pain is a familiar problem for many people, particularly as they get older. Although persistent knee discomfort can have many causes, osteoarthritis is one of the most common.
Knee osteoarthritis develops as the cartilage that cushions the bones in the joint gradually breaks down. Healthy cartilage allows the knee to move smoothly while helping protect the bones. As this protective layer becomes thinner, pain and other problems can develop and may become more severe over time.
"Osteoarthritis can cause knee pain and stiffness, which can negatively impact a person's activity level, risk of falling, mood and general quality of life," said Dr. Abby Cheng, an orthopedic surgeon at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis who also specializes in physiatry, the nonsurgical treatment and rehabilitation of conditions such as arthritis.
Knee Osteoarthritis Can Affect More Than Mobility
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in