Osteoarthritis
Joint degeneration worsened by excess weight, particularly in knees and hips.
Plain English
Patient-Friendly Explanation
Osteoarthritis causes joint pain and stiffness. Every extra kilogram of body weight puts 4 kilograms of pressure on your knees. Weight loss is one of the most effective treatments for reducing joint pain.
Medical
Clinical Definition
OA is characterised by progressive cartilage loss, subchondral bone changes, and synovial inflammation. Obesity is the strongest modifiable risk factor, with each unit increase in BMI above normal increasing knee OA risk by 35%.
Key Insight
Why It Matters
Weight loss of 10% can reduce knee pain by 50% and delay or avoid the need for joint replacement surgery.
Sources
Reviewed against standard medical references.
Medically reviewed by
Family Physician & Registered Acupuncturist, Accord Medical Clinic. MBBS (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture (Singapore College of TCM).
Last reviewed: August 2026
This page is general health education, not medical advice. Whether any treatment is appropriate for you is a decision made in consultation after assessment.
