Thu, July 23, 2009

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Obesity is strongly associated with an increased risk of rapid loss of cushioning cartilage in the knee in people at risk for osteoarthritis or with early signs of the disease, researchers have found.

In osteoarthritis -- the most common form of arthritis -- the cartilage breaks down and, in severe cases, can completely wear away, leaving the joint without a cushion. The bones rub together, causing further damage, as well as pain and loss o...