Knee extensor muscle weakness is a risk factor for the development of knee osteoarthritis: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis including 46 819 men and women

Øiestad BE, et al. · British Journal of Sports Medicine

Knee extensor weakness increased the odds of developing knee OA (pooled OR ~1.7 in women and ~1.4-1.9 overall depending on outcome definition). Weak quads precede OA, supporting strengthening as prevention-plausible.

Population

Prospective cohorts totalling 46,819 men and women without knee OA at baseline

Intervention

Exposure: low knee-extensor (quadriceps) strength

Comparator

Normal strength

Limitations

Observational; weakness may be marker rather than cause; strength measurement methods varied.