epidemiology of knee pain

Last reviewed 01/2018

Knee pain is a common complaint amongst the elderly population

• osteoarthritis is responsible for majority of knee pain in older adults (1)
• according to a recent survey done in UK general population of aged 50 + years (with 6792 respondents with knee pain),
  • the prevalence of pain 'in or around the knee' in the last 12 months was 47%
• the prevalence was slightly higher in females than in males which was more marked with increasing age e.g. - in people over-75 years, the number of females with reported knee pain in the last 12 months was 51% while in males it was 37.9%
  • GP consultation for knee pain in the last 12 months was 33% (2)

In the general population (16 years of age or older), the prevalence of knee pain (lasting for more than 1 week in the past month) was 19%

• prevalence is increased with age in both males and females
• the age standardised prevalence was similar in both sexes but in those aged over 45 years, the prevalence was higher in women than in men (3).

Reference:

• 1. Porcheret M et al. Treatment of knee pain in older adults in primary care: development of an evidence-based model of care. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2007;46(4):638-48
• 2. Jinks C et al. A brief screening tool for knee pain in primary care (KNEST). 2. Results from a survey in the general population aged 50 and over. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2004;43(1):55-61
• 3. Webb R et al. Opportunities for prevention of 'clinically significant' knee pain: results from a population-based cross sectional survey. J Public Health (Oxf). 2004;26(3):277-84