Who Is At Risk of Early Knee Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is most common in adults 45 and older but it is not a regular part of aging.

Certain factors increase the risk of developing early-onset knee osteoarthritis, including genetics, body weight, previous joint injuries and even your occupation.

Sports injuries, such as ACL tears and meniscus tears in the knee, can cause early post-traumatic arthritis, a form of osteoarthritis.

“Because these type of injuries occur in our prime athletic years during high school and college, it’s not uncommon for people in their 40s and 50s to have advanced stages of osteoarthritis,” says William Bugbee, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Scripps Clinic.

Genetic factors can affect your chances of developing early knee osteoarthritis. If a family member has osteoarthritis, your risk may be higher. While you cannot change this factor, being aware is important.

Excess body weight adds stress to the knee joint. This can speed up the wear and tear of joint cartilage. Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise is essential for knee health.

Occupational and lifestyle factors are important to consider. Jobs that require heavy physical activity can hurt knee joints.

Joint injuries and trauma can lead to early knee osteoarthritis. Prior injuries, like ACL tears, may predispose one to this condition and accelerate joint deterioration.

“For some people, an ACL or cartilage tear often changes the knee’s structure and how well the joint moves and functions,” Dr. Bugbee says. “For other people, a loss of cartilage in the knee provides less cushioning on the joint while walking, jogging or running.”

When cartilage wears away, it can cause painful bone-on-bone contact between the thigh bone and shin bone. Losing cartilage on the back of the kneecap can also lead to annoying knee pain and irritation in the knee joint.

It’s important to recognize the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis early. The main symptom is joint pain that gets worse with activity. At first, the pain may be mild, but then it gets stronger over time.

You may also notice stiffness in the knee joint. This stiffness often occurs after sitting still for a while, such as when you wake up. You might also see swelling and have less range of motion.

Knowing these symptoms helps in early detection and management. Seeking medical advice at the first signs can prevent further joint damage.

Cartilage can’t replace itself naturally. Lifestyle changes can help people with knee osteoarthritis avoid joint replacement surgery down the road. Here are some ways to do this:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Do low-impact exercises and stay active
• Cycling can help improve knee arthritis symptoms
• Physical therapy can strengthen the muscles around the knee
• Use over-the-counter pain relievers, knee injections or prescription medications
• Use supportive devices like braces or canes

Knee replacement or joint replacement is an option when pain and mobility issues severely impact daily life. It is typically considered in advanced stages of osteoarthritis when other treatments fail. “If nonsurgical treatments have been unsuccessful, you may be ready to consider a knee replacement,” Dr. Bugbee says.

Consult with an orthopedic specialist to assess suitability for surgery. They can guide decisions based on individual needs and severity of joint damage.

“Knee replacement has proven to be highly effective and modern techniques have improved the surgical experience, function and durability,” Dr. Bugbee says.

In the past few decades, managing arthritis in younger people has changed. The field of joint preservation has developed. This area includes regenerative medicine and new surgical methods. These techniques aim to restore or replace damaged tissues without needing joint replacement.

“New treatments to restore or preserve cartilage may be useful in younger people with arthritis in their knees,” Dr. Bugbee says.