Knee OA is more prevalent in which sex?

Knee OA is more prevalent in which sex?

• A. Male
• B. Female
• C. Equal
• D. Not known

Answer: (B)

Knee osteoarthritis is more prevalent in women, especially after menopause. The drop in estrogen that accompanies menopause is thought to reduce protective effects on joint tissues, which can accelerate cartilage degeneration and subchondral bone changes involved in OA. Beyond hormonal factors, women often have structural and biomechanical differences—such as a higher Q-angle and knee alignment patterns during gait—that can alter how load is distributed across the knee and contribute to wear in the joints. Obesity and metabolic factors, which contribute to OA risk and are more common in some populations of women, also play a role. Together, these influences help explain why knee OA tends to be more common in women than men.

Knee osteoarthritis is more prevalent in women, especially after menopause. The drop in estrogen that accompanies menopause is thought to reduce protective effects on joint tissues, which can accelerate cartilage degeneration and subchondral bone changes involved in OA. Beyond hormonal factors, women often have structural and biomechanical differences—such as a higher Q-angle and knee alignment patterns during gait—that can alter how load is distributed across the knee and contribute to wear in the joints. Obesity and metabolic factors, which contribute to OA risk and are more common in some populations of women, also play a role. Together, these influences help explain why knee OA tends to be more common in women than men.