Being overweight or obese can cause rapid deterioration of the cartilage in the knee, leading to osteoarthritist. In fact, for every one-unit increase in body mass index, the chances of rapid cartilage loss increased 11 percent. The association between obesity and rapid cartilage loss remained even after taking into account age, gender and ethnic background. Weight loss is probably the most important factor to slow disease progression. Keeping your weight down — through diet and exercise or weight-loss surgery — could prevent the need for knee-replacement surgery.
SOURCES: August 2009, Radiology
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