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Knee problems common in middle-aged women

Wednesday 28th December 2011

Knee problems are proving to be fairly common in women aged over 50 complaining of recurring pain in joints around the area.

Physiotherapists and those in occupational therapy jobs have been trying to new methods to treat the condition but it has been proving difficult. New research by a team of researchers at the University of Oxford found that 63 per cent of women over the age of 50 reported persistent, incident or intermittent knee pain over a 12-year period.

Researchers believe that the problems are linked with a high body mass index (BMI) in the person, as more weight is put on to the joints. Other explanations could be a previous knee injury or radiography osteoarthritis (OA).

Across the US, more than 27 million people suffer from OA and in the UK as a result of the condition there is an annual loss of productivity in the region of £3.2 billion.

Nigel Arden, MSc, MD, a Professor of Rheumatology at the University of Oxford, said: "Our study is the first community-based investigation of knee pain patterns using multiple assessment points over a 12-year period. Understanding the prevalence and predictors of knee pain is the first step in developing comprehensive pain assessment plans that could lead to more targeted treatment options for those burdened by OA."

More than 1,000 women between the ages of 44 and 57 years participated in the university's study and were representative of women in the UK, including smokers as well as women with varying BMI.

Researchers decided that a higher BMI predicted persistent and incident pain patterns, while radiographic OA was a predictor of persistent pain. Those reporting knee injury were likely to have persistent or intermittent pain patterns.

Mr Arden added: "Validation of our findings through reproduction in other patient groups is needed to advance knowledge of knee pain predictors that will ultimately enhance prevention and treatment strategies for those with OA.

Written by James Puckle