Extended Abstract (for invited Faculty only) Osteoarthritis

15.3.4 - OA & Sports

Presentation Topic
Osteoarthritis
Date
14.04.2022
Lecture Time
10:30 - 10:45
Room
Potsdam 3
Session Type
Special Session
Speaker
  • T. Tischer (Erlangen, DE)
Authors
  • T. Tischer (Erlangen, DE)

Abstract

Introduction

Sport shows many positive effects on the general health. However, the effects of sports participation on joints and especially on osteoarthritic joints are still under debate. Intense sports participation leads to a marked increase in joint loading. During jogging a force of 3-5x times body weight is absorbed in the hip with every step. In a 70kg runner with a speed of 7km/h and a body height of around 170cm about 1250 steps are made per km, resulting in an absorption between 1300-2100 tons in each hip in a 10km run (Bergmann 1993). Nonetheless, low impact sports does not seem to have adverse effects on healthy joints and even high level runners do most likely not show increased osteoarthritis (OA) rates (Timmins 2016) in contrast for example to professional soccer players (Freiberg 2021). The development of OA is multifactorial and depended on many factors (e.g. age, body weight, joint injury, joint loading, quadriceps weakness, genetics, …) and many studies showed a higher incidence of OA in knees of former high-impact sports players compared to the normal population (e.g. Kujala 1995).

Content

Sport in osteoarthritic joints can reduce pain, restore joint motion and strengthen surrounding muscles and is an important part of conservative therapy (Fransen 2015). A recent systematic review has shown, that active exercise and sport are effective to improve pain and physical function in elderly people with osteoarthritis (Zampogna 2020). Additional weight loss and positive effects on body metabolism (diabetes, hypertension, fat) are reported in newer studies. Weight loss is an important modifiable risk factor for progression of osteoarthritis in the knee. Thereby, it is hoped that low impact sport can slow down progression of osteoarthritis. Numerous studies show the detrimental effect of meniscal, cartilage and ligamentous instability as well as malalignment on the development of (post-traumatic) osteoarthritis. To improve the outcome, joint integrity should be restored as good as possible before participating in sports. Whether osteoarthritis and sports are possible, depends on many factors. It is important to know, that osteoarthritis and well selected sports can delay the progression of osteoarthritis. An individualized approach to sports participation for each patient is necessary, no performance goals and good technique and equipment are important.

References

Hip joint loading during walking and running, measured in two patients. Bergmann G, Graichen F, Rohlmann A. J Biomech. 1993 Aug;26(8):969-90. doi: 10.1016/0021-9290(93)90058-m.

Running and Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Timmins KA, Leech RD, Batt ME, Edwards KL. Am J Sports Med. 2017 May;45(6):1447-1457. doi: 10.1177/0363546516657531. Epub 2016 Aug 20.

The Risk of Knee Osteoarthritis in Professional Soccer Players-a Systematic Review With Meta-Analyses. Freiberg A, Bolm-Audorff U, Seidler A.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2021 Jan 29;118(4):49-55. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.m2021.0007.

Knee osteoarthritis in former runners, soccer players, weight lifters, and shooters. Kujala UM, Kettunen J, Paananen H, Aalto T, Battié MC, Impivaara O, Videman T, Sarna S. Arthritis Rheum. 1995 Apr;38(4):539-46. doi: 10.1002/art.1780380413.

Exercise for osteoarthritis of the knee: a Cochrane systematic review. Fransen M, McConnell S, Harmer AR, Van der Esch M, Simic M, Bennell KL. Br J Sports Med. 2015 Dec;49(24):1554-7. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2015-095424. Epub 2015 Sep 24.

The Role of Physical Activity as Conservative Treatment for Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis in Older People: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Zampogna B, Papalia R, Papalia GF, Campi S, Vasta S, Vorini F, Fossati C, Torre G, Denaro V. J Clin Med. 2020 Apr 18;9(4):1167. doi: 10.3390/jcm9041167.

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