Unexplained weight loss is not uncommon. Many diseases and conditions cause unexplained weight loss. Unintentional weight loss can occur in specific areas or in all areas of the body. Certain conditions cause fat loss just around the knees. These conditions include edema, dehydration, joint disease and fat pad impingement
Dehydration
Dehydration is a cause of weight loss around the knees. According to the National Health Service, dehydration is defined as a loss of weight of 1 percent total body weight or greater. This weight loss is specific to water weight loss. Symptoms of dehydration can range from fatigue and dry mouth to constipation to seizures. Diseases that cause dehydration include kidney disease, diabetes, pancreatitis and ulcerative colitis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis causes fat loss around the knees. RA is an autoimmune disease, meaning your immune system attacks healthy tissue causing inflammation around the joints such as your knees, hands and feet. When it becomes more severe, RA wears away the bone and deforms the joints.
Degenerative Joint Disease
Degenerative joint disease, also known as osteoarthritis causes weight loss around your knees. This chronic arthropathy causes a deterioration of joint cartilage and also bone hypertrophy. Heredity, overuse, obesity and metabolic disorders such as hyperthyroidism increase your chances of developing degenerative joint disease. Other symptoms of osteoarthritis include coarse crepitus, joint stiffness, joint pain, motion restriction and swelling. Acetaminophen is the first choice for pain medications for this condition.
Fat Pad Inpingement
Fat pad impingement also known as Hoffa's syndrome is caused by trauma to the knee cap. The fat pad behind knee cap becomes pinched in between the femoral condyle and the patella. This condition causes a loss of fat around the knees. This particular condition is extremely painful. This condition causes swelling around the bottom of the knee cap and also behind the knee cap. Sometimes the swelling becomes so severe that the knee cap tilts outwards. Rest, electrotherapy, ice and exercise may treat this condition. If these treatments don't work, surgery may be necessary.
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