Forget about knee pain: scientists tell how easy it is to prevent osteoarthritis

Knee replacement surgery is common worldwide. That’s why about 790,000 surgeries are performed annually in the United States alone. Most patients undergo this surgery because of osteoarthritis, which causes pain, swelling, and reduced mobility in the knee joint. But recently, scientists have found a simple and affordable way to protect their joints from this massive scourge, writes CNN.

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In a study published in the Journal of Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine in August 2023, researchers noted that knee osteoarthritis has a high morbidity and disability rate. People at risk include older adults, women, overweight individuals, and those who play certain sports, such as soccer and tennis. Genetic factors and previous knee injuries also contribute to the increased risk.

But recent research suggests that strengthening your leg muscles may slow the progression of knee osteoarthritis or even prevent it from developing. In a new study published in the journal JAMA Network Open, researchers analyzed data from 5,003 patients in the Netherlands. The researchers found that general physical activity did not increase the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis. However, they noted that people who participated in weight-bearing sports, such as running and walking, were at higher risk if they had low lower-extremity muscle mass.

Dr. Joyce van Meurs, professor at Erasmus Medical Center and co-author of the study, said: “When people had higher muscle mass, there was no increased risk of developing osteoarthritis when participating in weight-bearing sports.” The authors say this finding highlights the importance of muscle strength in protecting our knee joints.

Dr. Katherine Miller, an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin, commented on the study’s findings, noting that they further advance the idea that muscle mass is critical for joint health and potentially reduces the risk of osteoarthritis. Despite these results, scientists still need more research to understand the relationship between muscle mass, body weight, and the severity of knee osteoarthritis. The study participants had an average body mass index (BMI) of 26, slightly above healthy levels.

Dr. van Meurs noted that it’s unclear whether the findings apply to people with higher BMIs, who need more muscle mass to protect their joints. On a practical level, van Meurs recommended strengthening your leg muscles before weight-bearing exercises like running to protect your knees from potential injury. Dr. Miller also encouraged his patients to maintain a healthy weight and stay active. He stressed that consistent physical activity is essential to improving joint health, even with osteoarthritis. Simple exercises like wall squats or chair stands are also effective in keeping muscles strong and joints flexible, he says.

Previously Focus wrote this Exercise may protect against Parkinson’s diseaseA new study has shown a promising link between exercise and a reduced risk of disease.

Moreover Focus scientists wrote this Arthritis treated in gorilla for the first time in the world. A female gorilla at the Budapest Zoo has become the first primate to receive stem cell therapy. The experiment offers hope for a cure not just for animals but also for humans.

This material is for informational purposes only and does not contain advice that may affect your health. If you have any problems, consult a specialist.