Daily walking and the risk of incident functional limitation in knee osteoarthritis: an observational study

White DK, et al. · Arthritis Care & Research

Each extra 1,000 steps/day was associated with 16-18% lower risk of developing functional limitation two years later; walking ≥6,000 steps/day best discriminated those who stayed functional. More walking predicted better, not worse, outcomes.

Population

1,788 adults (mean 67) with or at risk of knee OA, objectively measured steps

Intervention

Exposure: accelerometer-measured daily steps over 7 days

Comparator

Across step counts

Limitations

Observational; reverse causation (healthier people walk more) only partially controllable; function not structural outcome.