Weight-loss drugs may prevent thousands of knee replacements, study suggests

Millions of knee replacements could be avoided each year if patients with knee arthritis take weight-loss drugs, according to new research. The study suggests a three-year course of these medications can significantly reduce the need for surgery.

Osteoarthritis, a condition affecting more than 500 million people worldwide, commonly impacts the knee. In the United States, approximately 14 million individuals suffer from knee arthritis, while over 5 million in the UK are affected. This prevalence leads to a substantial number of surgical interventions.

In the UK alone, more than 120,000 knee replacement surgeries are performed annually. The findings from this research, published in the journal *Rheumatology*, indicate a potential shift in treatment strategies, offering a less invasive option for managing severe knee arthritis and potentially alleviating the burden on healthcare systems.