Easing the Burden: The Value of Lifestyle Modifications for Management of Knee Osteoarthritis in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Authors

Rashelle L. Maderitz, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Orthopedic Surgery

Advisor

Bernard Toney Jr., DMSc, PA-C

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To provide a comprehensive review of literature discussing the relationship between knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS), KOA's impact on patients and the healthcare system, in support of a shift to lifestyle modification as a primary, long-term management of knee osteoarthritis and the value it imparts to the patient and future of the healthcare community.

Methods: An extensive search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and the JBJS Journal of Orthopaedics for Physician Assistants literature archive was conducted. Search terms included knee osteoarthritis, metabolic syndrome, lifestyle modifications, diet, exercise, healthcare burden, and quality care.

Conclusions: The occurrence of KOA is on the rise and is universally burdensome to patients and the healthcare system.¹ A better understanding of KOA's multifactorial etiology and its pathophysiological relationship to MetS is vital to the timely detection and management of KOA.^1-4 Comparative to classic pharmacologic and surgical KOA treatments, current evidence supports lifestyle modifications as a safe and effective means to alter the parameters of MetS, particularly hypertension, and also yield promising results for decreasing symptomatic and radiographic KOA.^2-3,5-11 Suppressing the physical, mental, social, and financial burdens of KOA by implementing lifestyle changes is in alignment with the focus on affordable, care quality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and should be considered as an efficient use of healthcare system resources allocation through insured clinical pathways in the future.^4,12-14

Keywords: Knee osteoarthritis, Metabolic Syndrome, Lifestyle Modification, Diet, Exercise, Healthcare Burden

Recommended Citation

Maderitz RL. Easing the Burden: The Value of Lifestyle Modifications for Management of Knee Osteoarthritis in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2023; 5(1).