[Obesity and osteoarthritic changes in the lower extremities]

The purpose of the radiologic examination carried out in 124 obese subjects was to determine degenerative changes on the coxae and knees and entesopathy on the calices in relation to the degree and duration of obesity and the age of the subjects examined. The direct correlation established between the degree of obesity and each of the three parameters studied was most marked with respect to the knees of obese women. In a considerable number of subjects, changes of the coxae were found to develop also at a relatively low overweight. The highest rate of pathological changes was recorded in obese subjects with overweight lasting several decades or even throughout life. In the younger age group pathologic changes were observed in 10-30% of subjects, whereas of those in the 6th decade of life up to 96% were affected. The findings clearly show a direct relationship between the degree and duration of obesity as well as the age of the subjects and the extent of pathologic changes on the skeleto-tendinous apparatus of the lower extremities. Overweight appears to be a potential etiological and definitely a contributing factor of osteoarthrosis of the lower extremities and particularly of the knee. (Tab. 3, Fig. 3, Ref. 10).