Being just 5kg overweight increases odds of needing new knees by up to one-third, Australia study finds

The new study from a team at Monash University found that even relatively small weight gains can increase a person’s chances of knee osteoarthritis

Preventing weight gain in midlife is ‘easier and more achievable’ for most patients with knee issues than having to lose weight, the researchers found

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The new study found that relatively small weight increases can increase a person’s chances of knee osteoarthritis, the most common cause of knee pain, and the need for a knee replacement. Photo: Dreamstime/TNS

Published: 10:02am, 25 Oct 2022Updated: 10:12am, 25 Oct 2022

People who put on just a handful of kilograms in weight in midlife are significantly more likely to need a knee replacement, a new Australian study has found.

Women who put on 5kg are one-third (34 per cent) more likely to need a total knee replacement while men have 25 per cent increased odds.

The new study, which was presented at the International Congress on Obesity in Melbourne, Australia, found that relatively small weight increases can increase a person’s chances of knee osteoarthritis, the most common cause of knee pain, and the need for a knee replacement.

People cross the street in Melbourne on a rainy day. The new study on knee osteoarthritis was presented at the International Congress on Obesity held in the city earlier this month. Photo: AAP/dpa

Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes joints to become painful and stiff. There is no cure but there are a number of ways people can relieve symptoms including lifestyle changes and pain relief medicines.

In some cases, osteoarthritis can require joint replacement surgery. The researchers said that guidelines recommend weight loss to manage knee osteoarthritis but do not specifically recommend preventing weight gain in the first place.

“Weight loss can help ease the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis by reducing strain on the joint and lowering levels of harmful inflammation,” said Professor Anita Wluka from Monash University in Australia, who led the research.

“However, the 10 per cent-plus reduction in total body weight that is required to have even a small effect on knee pain is difficult to achieve and even more difficult to maintain, particularly when osteoarthritis is present, reducing mobility.