Research
Energy balance
Weight loss interventions (diet, multifocused weight loss, or bariatric surgery) reduce pain and disability in knee osteoarthritis, with bariatric surgery being the most effective pain-reducing intervention.
If you are overweight or obese, losing weight can significantly reduce knee pain and disability. Aim for a 5% weight loss through a combination of diet and exercise. Bariatric surgery is the most effective option for pain reduction if other methods fail.
WeakSupportsHIGH confidence
In the network meta-analysis, bariatric surgery was the most effective pain-reducing intervention, followed by a low-calorie diet combined with exercise intervention.
Why this rating
Based on systematic reviews and network meta-analyses.
Source
EULAR recommendations for the non-pharmacological core management of hip and knee osteoarthritis: 2023 update
Tuva Moseng et al. · Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases · 2024
DOI 10.1136/ard-2023-225041
clinical_guidelineCited 265×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Multicomponent non-pharmacological management (combining exercise, education, and weight management) yields larger improvements in pain and function than single interventions for hip and knee osteoarthritis.Weak
- Exercise programs (strength, aerobic, flexibility, or neuromotor) of adequate dosage with progression tailored to physical function improve pain and function in hip and knee osteoarthritis.Weak
Related findings · Energy balance
- Achieving a total body weight loss of 10-15% (or >10-15 kg) through Total Diet Replacement (TDR) induces remission of Type 2 Diabetes in individuals with short-duration disease.Strong
- Bariatric surgery is superior to medical management alone for inducing significant long-term weight loss, remission of type 2 diabetes, and reduction in mortality for patients with BMI ≥ 40 or ≥ 35 with comorbidities.Strong
- Achieving type 2 diabetes remission requires significant weight loss (≥15 kg) via major caloric restriction, independent of macronutrient composition.Strong
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