1. How Does Knee OA Progress?
 Starts with damage of a highly loaded part
 Focal wear then painful symptoms
 Pain and inactivity -- diet changes
 Increasing weight -- increasing load
 Inactivity weakens cartilage, bone, ligaments and muscles
with more loss of support
 Localized wear changes alignment and adds further to load
and increasing damage.
Vicious cycle: increase load -> decrease use = more damage
© OAISYS Incorporated 2013

2. Factors Affecting Progression
Speeds Up
Slows Down
 Inactivity
 Keeping mobile and strong
 Excessive load
 Modifying loading activity
 Weight gain
 Weight loss
 Delaying treatment
 Early treatment
© OAISYS Incorporated 2013

3. Mild varus
Grade 2 damage
Joint Replacement
not indicated
© OAISYS Incorporated 2013
Marked varus
Grade 8 damage
Joint Replacement
indicated

4. Healthy
What the surgeon sees
Progression
© OAISYS Incorporated 2013