How Weight Loss Reduces The Risk For Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthriits In Women

Osteoarthritis is a debilitating disease in which the cartilage wears away from the joint. This causes the bones of the joint to rub together. Weight loss can relieve pressure from joints. Reducing weight and increasing physical activity can help prevent and relieve the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis for women.

Risk Factors

Being a woman puts you at higher risk for developing arthritis, according to the Arthritis Foundation. In fact, 64 percent of office visits concerning arthritis are by women. A sedentary lifestyle is another risk factor for osteoarthritis. "Foundations of Athletic Training," by Marcia Anderson, Susan Hall and Malissa Martin says that a joint that is not used risks cartilage cell death. When joints move it promotes the metabolic processes needed to keep the tissue functioning. Movement can also promote growth of connective tissue in the joint, making it stronger.

Q-angle

The Q-angle is a knee characteristic that can negatively affect women. The Q angle is the angle in which the connective tissue of the quadriceps muscle meets with the patellar tendon, according to "Foundations of Athletic Training." A normal range for the Q-angle is between 13 to 18 degrees. The angle is greater in women because of the propensity of increased hip width. A larger Q-angle increases contact pressure of the outside of the knee and femur bone. This pressure load can lead to osteoarthritis.

Prevention

Decreased weight on joints takes the load off on regular activities of daily living. According to a study done at Boston University, led by Dr. David Felson and published in the "Annals of Internal Medicine" in 1992, weight loss significantly prevents the development of knee osteoarthritis in women. Felson and colleagues recruited 796 women and monitored the development of knee osteoarthritis over a 12-year span. The study reported that a weight loss of 5.2 kg, or 11.4 lbs., can decrease the chance of developing arthritis by 50 percent.

Treatment

Weight loss can aid in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis upon diagnosis. According a study published in 2004 in the journal, "Osteoarthritis and Cartilage," and conducted by Robin Christensen, Dr. Arne Astrup and Dr. Henning Bliddal, 80 obese patients were split into two groups. The first group was encouraged to lose weight through dietary intervention with weekly dietary sessions. The second group was given guidelines for self-directed weight loss. Both groups lost weight and decreased body fat and arthritic symptoms. This study showed that a 10 percent weight reduction can improve knee function by 28 percent.

Considerations

Exercise and physical activity can help build up cartilage and prevent osteoarthritis, according to the Arthritis Foundation. The organization recommends 30 minutes of regular exercise per day. When searching for an appropriate diet and exercise plan, consult with a physician or other professional, such as a physical therapist.