PARIS, France—Moderate exercise may help prevent knee osteoarthritis (OA) in middle-aged individuals—particularly those with a prior knee injury who are at high-risk of developing OA in the future, according to a presentation by Ewa Roos, PT, PhD, of the University of Southern Denmark, Odense. Dr. Roos presented her findings at the annual European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) meeting in Paris, France.1

"The available scientific evidence supports continued focus on aspects related to deconditioning of the musculoskeletal system to prevent and delay knee OA."—Ewa Roos, PT, PhD
Many studies have elucidated the positive effects of exercise in elderly patients with or at-risk of knee OA, but now researchers are just now realizing—and substantiating the fact—that exercise can also stave off knee OA and its consequences in younger patients, too.

"The available scientific evidence supports continued focus on aspects related to deconditioning of the musculoskeletal system to prevent and delay knee OA," Dr. Roos said. Specifically, "[i]n patients with a prior knee injury, who are at great risk of future OA, rehabilitation seems to be of uttermost importance and may prevent or delay long-term consequences."

Dr. Roos identified several risk factors for knee OA. Prior knee injury is a severe risk factor for early knee OA development, and it can be estimated that 5% of the population aged 35 to 54 have evidence of X-ray OA. Reduced muscle strength and muscle function are risk factors for OA development in the middle-aged. Moreover, quadriceps dysfunction occurs in subjects at risk of developing OA.

"Results from animal studies, and recent data from humans, support the hypothesis that moderate exercise is beneficial for the cartilage in subjects at risk of OA, indicating a role for exercise in OA prevention," Dr. Roos explained.

Personalized Rx for exercise

The specific exercise program should be tailored to the individual. "General physical activity and specific exercises may prevent or delay OA development, indicating the importance of matching the exercise load to the individual’s prerequisites such as prior experience from exercise, body mass index, and leg alignment to achieve optimal effect," Dr. Roos said.

"Future intervention studies in patients at high risk of OA should apply a rigorous study design and include long-term follow-ups assessing patient-relevant aspects and structural outcomes to study the possible effect on OA development."

Reference
1. Roos EW. Exercise as prevention and treatment of OA on the young and middle aged. Presented at: EULAR 2008; June 11-14, 2008; Paris, France. Abstract SP-0076.