[At-risk situations for knee osteoarthritis]

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease in the world, and the knee is the most affected joint. It is a multifactorial disease in which degenerative factors, genetics, hormonal and mechanical factors are involved. Several at-risk situations are particularly well identified: the anterior cruciate ligament rupture, meniscectomy, knee injuries, varus or valgus knee malalignment and obesity. The reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament is intended to limit the risk of secondary meniscal lesion. No long-term study found any evidence that surgery would prevent knee osteoarthritis. The extent of the meniscectomy should be kept to a minimum to prevent the risk of secondary osteoarthritis. It is essential to promote programs against obesity by targeting priority patients who have other risk factors such as a history of meniscectomy or knee injury, or knee malalignment.