Obesity, Weight Loss, and Knee Osteoarthritis: The Role of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists

Obesity significantly contributes to knee osteoarthritis, a leading cause of disability and musculoskeletal pain in both the United States and globally. With aging populations and increasing obesity rates, the burden of knee osteoarthritis is growing, yet effective nonsurgical treatment remains limited.Excess weight increases stress on weight-bearing joints during activities like walking. For every pound gained, the knee experiences an additional 3 to 6 pounds of pressure. Muscles that cross the joint are responsible for managing this load. Although it may seem that obesity leads to pain and joint deterioration due to increased stress, recent research indicates that this view …