Knee Osteoarthritis Isn't Inevitable — Here's What Can Lower the Risk

Knee osteoarthritis, a condition in which the cartilage cushioning the knee joint gradually breaks down, is one of the most common causes of persistent knee pain, according to Dr. Abby Cheng, an orthopedic surgeon and physiatrist at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. More than 30 million adults in the United States have some form of osteoarthritis, and the knee is the joint most frequently affected. "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," Cheng said.

Although osteoarthritis is often associated with older age, roughly half of cases occur among people who are still of working age, and the resulting pain can lead to missed work, lost income and reduced physical activity, which in turn can raise the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Cheng said having weak leg muscles or being overweight or obese increases a person's risk of knee osteoarthritis, and that women, older adults, people with a prior knee injury and those with a family history of the condition are also more likely to have it.

For people who already have knee osteoarthritis, Cheng said eating more plants and less processed or sugary food can reduce inflammation and ease pain, alongside treatments such as strengthening the thigh muscles, knee braces, anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone and other injections, and, in some cases, knee replacement surgery. She noted that for a person who is overweight, losing 10 pounds can reduce the stress placed on the knees by 40 pounds with every step.

Regular physical activity and a healthy weight may also lower the chances of developing knee osteoarthritis in the first place, Cheng said, adding that despite a common belief that running damages the knees, running can be part of an active lifestyle aimed at lowering osteoarthritis risk. She said osteoarthritis can run in families, but that does not mean a person can do nothing to lower their own risk of developing it.