03/09/2025
https://australian.physio/inmotion/knee-oa-risk-factors-across-life-span
What puts us at risk of knee osteoarthritis?
A new global systematic review and meta-analysis led by our researchers at the University of Sydney has some powerful answers, and it’s just been featured in the latest issue of InMotion, the official magazine of the Australian Physiotherapy Association 👏
Dr Vicky Duong (Kolling Institute, University of Sydney) and A/Prof Christina Abdel Shaheed (School of Public Health) conducted the largest-ever review of knee OA risk factors—drawing on data from 131 studies across 7 databases and 3 registries 🌏📚
🔍 Their key findings:
✅ Overweight/obesity, previous knee injury, and occupational physical activity (e.g. heavy manual work or >20 years of shift work) are linked to increased risk
✅ Higher bone mineral density in certain areas may also increase risk
✅ Lifestyle factors such as a Mediterranean diet, high-fibre intake, and even green tea (in men!) may lower your risk
📊 This research highlights how better preventive strategies and workplace health approaches could reduce the burden of knee OA—one of the leading causes of disability worldwide.
🙌 Big congratulations to Vicky and Christina for this important contribution to osteoarthritis research — and thank you to InMotion for helping promote their work!
📖 Read the full article in InMotion or access the study here: https://australian.physio/inmotion/knee-oa-risk-factors-across-life-span
