In a recent study from Australia researchers have investigated the incidence of obesity in patients undergoing knee replacements because of their OA. The results were compared to the incidence of obesity in the general population.

The results show that of the 56 000 patients who underwent knee replacement for OA during the study, almost 32% were overweight and almost 58% were obese. The risk for undergoing knee replacement according to OA increased as the patients BMI increased. The study also shows that the persons who were included in the study group called “class 3 obese” had their knee replacement surgery 7 years earlier then persons with normal weight.

The study concludes that the risk for undergoing knee replacement increases for obese people with OA. The study also shows that people with obesity often needs the replacement surgery at a younger age, this goes particularly for women.

The article is available here.