Summarize: Knee OA is a disease more likely to occur in those who engage more in weight-bearing activities. This new study also confirms these findings. However, unlike previous studies, this study found that this increase in knee OA risk is only seen in those with lesser lower limb mass. This means that sarcopenia or muscle mass loss due to aging and physical inactivity increases OA risk significantly.
Knee osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder. Osteoarthritis is known to affect weight-bearing joints like knees and hips. Hence, osteoarthritis is also called a disease of wear and tear.
However, things are not that simple. For example, people with a family history of osteoarthritis, those living with certain nutritional deficiencies, and specific lifestyle choices also contribute to osteoarthritis risk.
It is seen that people who are more engaged in lifting heavy weights during their lifetime or those engaged in specific kinds of sports are also at risk. Simply put, higher weight-bearing activities mean greater osteoarthritis (OA) risk.
Nevertheless, researchers have also seen that some individuals do not develop OA despite engaging in extensive physical activities. So, there must be more to it.
The new study published in the JAMA Open Network studied this topic and had many interesting findings. It studied the data of 5003 adults who were engaged in weight-bearing recreational activities. The study found that such activities significantly increased OA risk. Thus, engaging in extensive weight-bearing activities increased knee OA risk by more than 20%.
However, as they say, the devil is in the details. Researchers decided to analyze the data further. After all, not all people who engaged in weight-bearing activities developed knee OA over time.
When researchers looked closely at the data, they found that knee OA mostly occurred in those with low lower limb muscle mass. Simply speaking, those with leaner and weaker thighs developed knee OA. Meanwhile, those with moderately good lower limb muscle mass or high lower limb muscle mass did not develop knee OA.
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This not only shows degenerative processes and nutritional deficiencies at work. It demonstrates that keeping things stronger and ensuring higher lower limb mass may be protective.
This shows that OA is also preventable to a significant extent. Those who experience sarcopenia or progressive muscle mass due to aging and a sedentary lifestyle are at greater risk. This highlights the importance of preventing age-related muscle wasting to prevent knee OA in adults.
Sarcopenia, or muscle loss due to aging and inactivity, is known to increase the risk of falls and fractures in older adults. However, this is one of the first studies to show that one of the most common joint disorders may also occur due to physical inactivity, resulting in the loss of muscle mass in the lower limbs, especially in the thighs.
Of course, researchers have always known that specific kinds of physical activities and stress may increase OA risk. It was also known that regular exercise may help prevent or lower OA risk. However, this study adds to the existing understanding.
This study shows that certain factors associated with aging may increase OA risk in some people. This new study shows that increased knee OA risk is only found in those experiencing weaker thigh musculature due to sarcopenia or age-related muscle loss. Lack of physical activity and poor nutritional status make this muscle loss worse.
So, to prevent knee OA, start exercising with a special focus on thigh muscle mass. This can significantly reduce the risk of OA, even if one is engaged in weight-bearing activities. This study also suggests that an interventional pain management center focusing on maintaining thigh muscle mass could be beneficial.
Source:
Wu, Y., Boer, C. G., Hofman, A., Schiphof, D., van Middelkoop, M., Szilagyi, I. A., Sedaghati-Khayat, B., Bierma-Zeinstra, S. M. A., Voortman, T., & van Meurs, J. B. J. (2024). Weight-Bearing Physical Activity, Lower-Limb Muscle Mass, and Risk of Knee Osteoarthritis. JAMA Network Open, 7(4), e248968. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.8968