Osteoarthritis of the Knee in Middle-age Athletes

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a common degenerative joint disease that significantly affects middle-aged athletes and impacts their performance and quality of life. As athletes age, the cumulative effects of physical activity, joint stress, and potential injuries may increase the risk of developing OA. Understanding the prevalence and factors influencing knee osteoarthritis in this demographic is essential for developing effective prevention and management strategies. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of knee OA among middle-aged athletes and examine the relationship between age, activity level, and injury history. Methods: This study utilized a cross-sectional design involving a survey conducted among middle-aged athletes aged ۳۵ to ۵۵ in various sports between ۲۰۱۰ and ۲۰۲۲. Data were collected regarding demographic characteristics, athletic history, self-reported knee pain, previous injuries, and medically diagnosed OA. Participants were classified into two groups: those with knee OA and those without. Statistical analyses were performed using logistic regression to determine the relationship between age, activity level, and injury history with the onset of knee OA. A total of ۱,۲۰۰ athletes participated in this study, providing a robust dataset for analysis. Results: The findings revealed that ۳۰% of middle-aged athletes reported symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. Among these individuals, those aged ۵۰ and above showed a significantly higher prevalence of OA (۴۵%) compared to younger athletes (۲۵%). Additionally, a history of knee injuries was strongly associated with an increased likelihood of developing OA. Athletes with previous ligament injuries had an odds ratio of ۳.۲ (۹۵% confidence interval: ۲.۱-۴.۸) for developing OA compared to those without such injuries. Interestingly, while high levels of physical activity generally protect against joint deterioration in non-athletes, in this group of middle-aged athletes, excessive training intensity was associated with a higher incidence of knee OA. Conclusion: This study concludes that middle-aged athletes are at greater risk for knee osteoarthritis as they age, particularly those with a history of knee injuries. The findings suggest that while regular physical activity is beneficial for joint health, excessive stress and previous injuries can predispose athletes to OA. Therefore, it is essential for middle-aged athletes to engage in balanced training regimens that include injury prevention strategies and appropriate recovery protocols to reduce the risk of knee osteoarthritis.

کلیدواژه ها:

Osteoarthritis ، knee joint ، middle-aged athletes ، injury history ، physical activity