Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis can severely curtail the activities of recreational sports persons.

Common Treatments for Osteoarthritis

It has been reported that the most widespread treatments for Osteoarthritis include paracetamol, NSIADS, steroid injection, hyaluronic injection, and surgery. Intersetingly, the effects of these interventions are dwarfed by weight loss, exercise and braces/orthoses by a factor if three. A 5 percent weight loss makes a massive difference. Even a single kilogram is significant.

Knee Joint Stability and Osteoarthritis

Research shows that if knee joint stability is compromised (i.e. ACL injury, ACL reconstruction, AMP), the medial/lateral movement of the joint is increased. There is also an increased tibial rotation. Both will significantly increase the stress through the knee. Following ACL reconstruction, the quadriceps are often residually weak/range of motion is often difficult to regain. This alters gait patterns and changes the loading through the knee, and can effect the process of degeneration.

Muscle Contraction and Stress on the Knee

Osteoarthritis typically have a high level of co-contraction of muscles around the knee which increase total joint compression and the stress around it. A loss of range of motion means stress load through the joint is over a smaller area of articular cartilage.

Is Osteoarthritis a consequence of exercise or injury?

Running less than 25km/week is suggested to be beneficial to articular cartilage. Heavy work such as kneeling or repetitive squatting or jumping results in a higher incidence of knee Osteoarthritis.

Risk Factors for Developing Osteoarthritis

Risk factors for sports persons developing Osteoarthritis include previous knee injury and high BMI AT 20 years of age. Returning to cutting sports after a significant knee injury and surgery can increase the risk of developing Osteoarthritis, and need to be evaluated on how to minimise the risk.