From the Popular Press: What Your Patients are Reading:

A study conducted at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that almost half of all American adults are on their way to developing osteoarthritis of the knee by the time they reach the age of 85. For those who suffer from obesity during middle age, their odds for developing this painful condition are even higher. The greatest risk was found to be for those who were at a normal weight at age 18, but had risen to a weight qualified as obese by the age of 45. Prior knee injuries also heightened the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis. Race, gender, and education level were found to play no role in the risk of knee osteoarthritis. However, these factors do play a role in the treatment sought for the condition. Men are more likely than women to have a total knee replacement before their pain becomes disabling. Minorities are less likely than whites to undergo a joint replacement operation. Those who have attained higher degrees of education are more likely to have a joint replacement. With the results of the UNC study indicating that obesity plays a strong role in the development of knee osteoarthritis, it highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy weight throughout one’s life.

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