Average weight loss for the group was approximately 15 pounds. After one year, 20 per cent of the patients lost additional weight, 17 per cent remained stable, 16 per cent regained no more than 5 pounds, and the remaining 47 per cent regained weight.

So, it appears that patient with OA of the knee who obtain even modest weight loss have initial improvements in pain, stiffness, and functioning that persist after one year. It may be other factors besides weight loss alone that might be responsible for the improvement. For instance, patients who start an exercise program that strengthens the thigh muscles may experience much more relief than those people who didn’t start an exercise program.

(Bartlett SJ, Haaz S, Wrobleski P, et al. Long-term changes in symptoms and functioning associated with weight loss in overweight persons with knee OA. American College of Rheumatology poster presentation, 2006).