Summary: Knee osteoarthritis is the most common cause of chronic knee pain. The risk of the conditions is higher in females. A new study suggests that a specific kind of kneecap shape may be associated with greater knee osteoarthritis risk. This means that early imaging studies may help identify its risk later in life.
Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder. It commonly affects larger joints, particularly the knee joint. It is among the leading causes of chronic pain and disability.
Of course, science knows about various risk factors. However, still much has to be understood. For example, extreme physical stress and traumas might increase its risk. However, exercise may rather reduce its risk. Thus, for example, those with stronger thighs have lower osteoarthritis risk.
Similarly, it is known that females are more likely to develop the condition. However, this increased risk is not just due to hormonal differences or menopause. There are some other factors in the play.
So, although science knows about so many risk factors for one of the most common causes of chronic pain and joint diseases, it still does not know enough. There is no reliable way to predict the risk of joint disease or knee pain in people.
For example, there is no reliable test that can tell if one may develop knee joint pain or not. It would be great if there were reliable biomarkers so that people could act early and care for their larger joints, like knee joints. This may help prevent osteoarthritis in millions of people.
Kneecap Shape Might Hold the Key to Higher Knee Osteoarthritis Risk
This new study on knee osteoarthritis (OA) reveals significant differences in patellar shape between men and women. It may help explain why women often experience more severe patellofemoral (PF) OA. Researchers found that women are more likely to suffer from PF OA, which causes pain and limits knee function, especially in activities involving knee bending.
The study analyzed 3D models of the patella (kneecap) from CT scans of 164 individuals, including both healthy and OA-affected participants. The findings indicate that sex-specific differences in patellar morphology might contribute to women’s higher prevalence of PF OA.
Women’s patella was found to have a wider and shallower trochlear groove, which could lead to an increased risk of patellar cartilage damage and PF OA. This difference in bone structure may result in abnormal joint loading and elevated stress, potentially causing bone and cartilage damage over time.
Moreover, the study showed that males generally have larger patellar measurements than females. For example, in the OA cohort, males had larger patellar widths and heights compared to females. These differences were consistent across healthy and OA groups, suggesting inherent sex differences in patellar shape.
One notable discovery was the difference in the lateral and medial facets of the patella between the sexes.
Healthy and OA males had wider lateral and medial facets compared to their female counterparts. Specifically, the medial facet width was significantly larger in healthy males than in OA females. This suggests that the structural differences in the patella could be linked to the development and progression of PF OA.
The study employed geometric morphometrics to analyze the patellar shape, which provided detailed insights into the three-dimensional structure of the patella. The results indicated that variations in patellar shape could influence joint stress and contribute to OA pathology.
The researchers hypothesize that these shape features, particularly those associated with the lateral facet, might lead to increased joint stress and cartilage damage, thereby facilitating the onset and progression of PF OA.
The implications of this research are significant for understanding sex-specific risks and developing targeted interventions for knee OA. Identifying the unique patellar shapes associated with higher OA risk could improve early identification measures for at-risk populations.
For individuals experiencing chronic knee pain, interventional pain management techniques and consultation with chronic pain specialists can provide effective relief and improve quality of life.
Source:
Wilson, L. A. B., Lynch, J. T., Ménard, J. M., Galvin, C. R., & Smith, P. N. (2024). Sex differences in patellar facet shape among healthy and osteoarthritic cohorts. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2024.06.018
