Knee Osteoarthritis: Obesity and Sex Differences may Shape Pain and Mobility

Dr. Gaurav Sachdeva, Dept. of Orthopaedics, NC Medical College, Israna, India.

Obesity and sex-related differences may influence pain and everyday mobility in people with knee osteoarthritis, reinforcing the need for individualised assessment and care.

Living with knee osteoarthritis can affect much more than joint comfort. Pain, stiffness and difficulty walking can interfere with routine activities and independence. A better understanding of the factors associated with these limitations may help clinicians tailor care to individual needs.

A study examined pain and functional mobility in 56 people aged 45–70 years with knee osteoarthritis, comparing outcomes by weight category and sex. The findings showed differences in both groups, although not all measures varied significantly.

Participants with obesity took longer to complete the timed up and go (TUG) test than those who were overweight, suggesting poorer functional mobility. They also had a longer reported duration of osteoarthritis. However, pain scores did not differ significantly between the two weight groups, and the 50-foot timed walk test showed no significant difference.

Sex-related differences were also observed. Women reported higher pain intensity and took longer to complete the TUG test than men. They also had a longer reported duration of disease. In addition, longer disease duration was moderately associated with slower TUG performance, while its association with pain intensity was weak.

The findings draw attention to the varied ways knee osteoarthritis can affect patients. Assessing pain alone may not fully capture its impact on daily function; simple performance-based measures can provide additional insight into mobility limitations. However, the study’s small sample and cross-sectional design mean that the results should be interpreted cautiously.

Considering body weight, sex, symptom burden and functional ability together may help clinicians develop more individualised rehabilitation and management plans.

(Source: El-gohary TM. Sex-and obesity-related variations in pain and functional mobility among knee osteoarthritis patients: A cross-sectional analysis. Journal of Musculoskeletal Surgery and Research. 2026 Jan 1;10(1):96-103.)