Changes in Body Fat Over Time Following Knee Injuries in Young Athletes: Insights for Preventing Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis
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By
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Justin M. Losciale
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Nuria EJ Jansen
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Christina Y. Le
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Leo Lu
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Hui Xie
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Marienke van Middelkoop
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Jackie L. Whittaker
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July 13, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Changes in Body Fat Over Time Following Knee Injuries in Young Athletes: Insights for Preventing Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis
At a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|
| Condition | Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis (PTOA) |
| Key Mechanisms | Elevated odds of overweight or obesity following sport-related knee injuries. |
| Target Population | Youth athletes aged 14-18 years with sport-related knee injuries. |
| Care Setting | Prospective cohort study assessing adiposity changes. |
Key Highlights
- Youth with sport-related knee injuries have similar adiposity gains compared to uninjured peers.
- Study involved 186 youth, with assessments at multiple time points over 2 years.
- No significant differences in fat mass gain between injured and uninjured groups.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
- Assess knee injuries in youth athletes to evaluate risk for PTOA.
Management
- Monitor adiposity changes in youth post-knee injury to inform prevention strategies.
Monitoring & Follow-up
- Regular follow-ups on fat mass and physical activity levels in injured youth.
Risks
- Increased risk of overweight and obesity in youth following knee injuries.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Youth athletes aged 14-18 years with sport-related knee injuries.
Initial post-injury period may be critical for preventing future overweight and obesity.
Clinical Best Practices
- Implement preventive strategies targeting weight management in youth post-knee injury.
- Encourage physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices after injury.
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