The rise in osteoarthritis of knee joint
There has been a mysterious rise in the osteoarthritis of the knee joint, reports Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing.
Mere longevity and excess weight do not account for the rising rates of knee osteoarthritis, so what does?
The list of possibilities is long, and as suggested by the authors of one study includes:
- Injury
- Wearing high-heeled shoes (yes, there is at least one study that suggests that the altered forces in the knee among those wearing high-heeled shoes might contribute to the development of osteoarthritis)
- Inactivity
- Walking on hard pavement
- Inflammation (worsened by inactivity, modern diets, and obesity)
Research is on for a need for a better understanding of why and how osteoarthritis develops before we can prevent it or improve its treatment.
Until then be mindful of the above-mentioned possibilities!
