Analysis of fat mass following knee injury

What is it about?

Knee joint injury during youth can lead to long-term health consequences that pose a significant health burden. One such burden is an increased risk of developing knee osteoarthritis a decade later, with latest Canadian and worldwide trends showing that younger age groups are being impacted more and more frequently. The contribution of high body fat to joint damage is also a primary concern, and may be implicated following injury due to long periods of immobility, rest from physical activity and dropping out of sport. Since joint injury and obesity are both established risk factors for the development of osteoarthritis, the purpose of this study was to investigate if 100 youth and young adults with a traumatic knee injury (e.g. ACL injury) sustained 3-10 years ago, have higher fat mass compared to 100 non-injured youth matched by the same age, sex and sport background. Participants were aged 15-26 years and 55% were female. Results of this study found that the odds of being overweight or obese were 2.4 times higher for those with a previous injury and the odds of having high fat mass (measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry or DXA) were 3.4 times higher. However, it was found that this increase was offset in those who participated in more physical activity or those who were more aerobically fit.

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Why is it important?

This study shows that greater attention should perhaps be focused on return to sport and activity following a knee injury to prevent gains in fat mass that negatively implicate the health of individuals. This may be one important factor in the prevention of post-traumatic osteoarthritis development.

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