New study says computational modelling can predict onset, progression of knee osteoarthritis in overweight people

A new study has shown that computational modelling makes it possible to predict the onset and progression knee osteoarthritis in overweight people.

The study, from the University of Eastern Finland, says a computational model based on the degradation of the collagen fibril network in the articular cartilage, was able to predict the onset and progression of the condition in overweight people during a four-year follow-up. It says that in normal-weight people, osteoarthritis did not develop within this time span.

Researchers were also able to develop a model of the knee joint which makes it possible to evaluate the mechanical responses experienced by cartilage cells in healthy and osteoarthritic cartilage during daily activity such as walking.

The study was also able to analyse the effect of meniscectomy, a commonly used method in knee surgery, and simulated overweight on cell responses. Both meniscectomy and simulated overweight substantially increased fluid pressures in the cell and cartilage tissue during walking, but they did not have an effect on the cell shape or volume in healthy cartilage. In osteoarthritic cartilage, however, cells were compressed and elongated more, probably due to altered cartilage integrity.

In-depth understanding of the effects of abnormal loading, early osteoarthritis and mechanical injuries on cellular and tissue responses in cartilage makes it possible to develop new strategies for the recognition, prevention and slowing down the progression of the disease. The methods developed in the study may become widespread in specialised health care in the future. However, rigorous clinical validation will be necessary before they can be introduced to clinical use.

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