Knee pain is a familiar problem for many people, especially as they age. 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 to protect the bones. As this protective layer becomes thinner, pain and other problems may develop and may become more serious over time.
“Osteoarthritis can cause pain and stiffness in the knee, which can negatively impact a person’s activity level, risk of falls, mood and overall 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
The effects of osteoarthritis can extend far beyond joint pain. Difficulties moving can result in job loss and loss of income. It can also discourage people from engaging in physical activity, which can increase the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Osteoarthritis is also extremely common. More than 30 million adults in the U.S. suffer from some form of this condition, and the knee is the most commonly affected joint. Although osteoarthritis is often associated with advancing age, about half of cases occur among people who are still of working age.
“Having weak leg muscles and being overweight or obese increases a person’s risk of knee osteoarthritis,” Cheng said. “Women, older adults, people with a previous knee injury, and those with a family history of osteoarthritis are also more likely to have this condition.”
Lifestyle Changes May Help Relieve Knee Pain
People already suffering from osteoarthritis have several options to manage pain and mobility problems. Healthy habits, along with medical treatments when necessary, can also help slow the condition from getting worse.
“Eating more plants and fewer processed or sugary foods reduces inflammation in the body, which can reduce osteoarthritis pain in all joints,” Cheng said. “Other common treatments for knee osteoarthritis include strengthening the thigh muscles, wearing knee pads, taking anti-inflammatory medications, receiving cortisone and other injections, and sometimes undergoing knee replacement surgery.”
Health care providers can work with patients to develop individualized strategies to manage osteoarthritis. They can also connect people with programs and other resources that can make it easier to start healthy changes and maintain them over time.
Small improvements can have a surprisingly large effect. Cheng noted that for an overweight person, losing 10 pounds can reduce the stress on the knees by 40 pounds with each step. That reduction in pressure can significantly relieve joint pain.
Exercise and a healthy weight can reduce risk
Many of the strategies used to manage osteoarthritis can also help reduce the chances of developing it.
Regular physical activity is one of them. Despite the common belief that running damages your knees, running can be part of an active lifestyle aimed at reducing the risk of osteoarthritis. Maintaining a healthy weight can also reduce stress on your joints.
Diet matters too. A healthy eating pattern rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables, while limiting processed and refined foods, can support overall health and help protect against osteoarthritis.
Family history does not determine your future
Osteoarthritis differs from diseases such as cancer and heart disease, but its effects on health, well-being and quality of life can still be substantial. Millions of people live with this condition, but there are practical steps people can take to reduce their own risk and potentially help protect the health of their families.
“Some people think that because one of their parents or grandparents had osteoarthritis, they will develop it too,” Cheng said. “And while it’s true that osteoarthritis can run in families, that doesn’t mean a person can’t do anything to successfully reduce their risk of developing it.”
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