Mechanical contributors to sex differences in idiopathic knee osteoarthritis

28Citations
Citations of this article
81Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

The occurrence of knee osteoarthritis (OA) increases with age and is more common in women compared with men, especially after the age of 50 years. Recent work suggests that contact stress in the knee cartilage is a significant predictor of the risk for developing knee OA. Significant gaps in knowledge remain, however, as to how changes in musculoskeletal traits disturb the normal mechanical environment of the knee and contribute to sex differences in the initiation and progression of idiopathic knee OA. To illustrate this knowledge deficit, we summarize what is known about the influence of limb alignment, muscle function, and obesity on sex differences in knee OA. Observational data suggest that limb alignment can predict the development of radiographic signs of knee OA, potentially due to increased stresses and strains within the joint. However, these data do not indicate how limb alignment could contribute to sex differences in either the development or worsening of knee OA. Similarly, the strength of the knee extensor muscles is compromised in women who develop radiographic and symptomatic signs of knee OA, but the extent to which the decline in muscle function precedes the development of the disease is uncertain. Even less is known about how changes in muscle function might contribute to the worsening of knee OA. Conversely, obesity is a stronger predictor of developing knee OA symptoms in women than in men. The influence of obesity on developing knee OA symptoms is not associated with deviation in limb alignment, but BMI predicts the worsening of the symptoms only in individuals with neutral and valgus (knockkneed) knees. It is more likely, however, that obesity modulates OA through a combination of systemic effects, particularly an increase in inflammatory cytokines, and mechanical factors within the joint. The absence of strong associations of these surrogate measures of the mechanical environment in the knee joint with sex differences in the development and progression of knee OA suggests that a more multifactorial and integrative approach in the study of this disease is needed. We identify gaps in knowledge related to mechanical influences on the sex differences in knee OA. © 2012 Nicolella et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

References Powered by Scopus

Osteoarthritis: New insights - Part 1: The disease and its risk factors

2036Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Inflammation in osteoarthritis

1128Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

A meta-analysis of sex differences prevalence, incidence and severity of osteoarthritis

896Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Cited by Powered by Scopus

The Burden of Osteoarthritis in Older Adults

104Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Male and female differences in musculoskeletal disease

71Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Neuropathic pain in end-stage hip and knee osteoarthritis: differential associations with patient-reported pain at rest and pain on activity

49Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Nicolella, D. P., O’Connor, M. I., Enoka, R. M., Boyan, B. D., Hart, D. A., Resnick, E., … Kohrt, W. M. (2012). Mechanical contributors to sex differences in idiopathic knee osteoarthritis. Biology of Sex Differences. https://doi.org/10.1186/2042-6410-3-28

Readers' Seniority

Tooltip

PhD / Post grad / Masters / Doc 40

74%

Professor / Associate Prof. 6

11%

Researcher 6

11%

Lecturer / Post doc 2

4%

Readers' Discipline

Tooltip

Medicine and Dentistry 16

42%

Engineering 11

29%

Agricultural and Biological Sciences 6

16%

Nursing and Health Professions 5

13%

Article Metrics

Tooltip
Mentions
News Mentions: 1

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free