Weight loss ‘can protect obese people from knee damage’

Obese people can reduce their risk of knee cartilage degeneration by losing a substantial amount of weight, according to a new study.

Presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America and carried out by the University of California, San Francisco, the study indicated that weight loss could be a way for overweight individuals to lessen their chances of developing osteoarthritis.

The team investigated the association between different degrees of weight loss and the progression of knee cartilage degeneration in 506 overweight and obese patients participating in a nationwide study.

It was found that weight loss had a protective effect against cartilage degeneration and osteoarthritis, and that a larger amount of weight loss is more beneficial.

Lead study author Dr Alexandra Gersing, from the department of radiology and biomedical imaging at the University of California, San Francisco, said: "Degenerative joint disease is a major cause of pain and disability in our population, and obesity is a significant risk factor."

This underlines the fact that moderate exercise and weight loss can be a valuable tool in combating the onset of the condition, with earlier interventions having a greater effect.