Examination of the Increased Risk for Falls Among Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis

Fall prevention is an important clinical target, as falling can cause physical damage or injury that can lead to decreased physical activity and social participation. Knee osteoarthritis is a well-established risk factor for falls, and falls can contribute to further damage to the joints of those living with this condition. However, the factors that contribute to the risk of falling among individuals with knee osteoarthritis are not well understood. This study used data from the baseline and three-year follow-up questionnaires of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) to characterize the profile of risk factors for falling among those with and without knee osteoarthritis. Falling patterns – where and how a fall occurred – were compared between the two groups. Knee osteoarthritis was confirmed to be an independent risk factor for falling, and differences in the profile of risk factors and the circumstances in which falls occurred were identified between those with and without osteoarthritis.

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