Orthopedic & Muscular System: Current Research
Open Access

Abstract

Long Term Effect of Weight Change on Clinical Manifestation of Knee Osteoarthritis among Women Treated with Orlistat

Michael Goldenshluger, Olga Reitblat, Rosa Schneider, Tsahi T Lerman, Gal Barkay and Tatiana Reitblat

Background: Combined therapy of weight loss and exercise provide today the best treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis. Most studies evaluating the effect of this therapy focus on the active intervention phase or immediately after the end of the treatment.

Objectives: To describe the of long term effectiveness of weight loss and exercise treatment on Knee Osteoarthritis.

Methods: Medical charts of 10 overweight women who suffered from Knee Osteoarthritis and had been treated for six months with a combined treatment of weight loss with Orlistat in the recommended dose, aerobic exercise and muscle mass strengthening, were retrospectively reviewed. Knee Osteoarthritis symptoms were assessed before treatment, at the end of treatment and following 6 months using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index.

Results: In comparison to baseline, we documented a statistically significant improvement in pain, stiffness, and function at the end of the treatment (37.0 vs. 21.0, P=0.007, 44.5 vs. 28.3, P=0.037 and 45.5 vs. 27.1, P=0.005, respectively) together with reduction in BMI (32.9 vs. 29.5, P=0.007). Six months later, although the mean BMI had returned to its baseline (31.1, P=0.126), the improvement in all parameters still existed (23.9, P=0.028, 27.1, P=0.028 and 32.9, P=0.037, respectively).

Conclusions: Weight reduction together with muscle strengthening can improve function, stiffness, and pain symptoms in women with knee Osteoarthritis. Our case series suggest that this combined intervention may potentially maintain clinical improvement even when patients return to their baseline weight.