{"id":23818,"date":"2025-09-18T10:43:25","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T10:43:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coulinmedical.com\/?p=23818"},"modified":"2026-06-25T14:10:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T14:10:14","slug":"arthrose-et-charge-articulaire-comprendre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coulinmedical.com\/en\/arthrose-et-charge-articulaire-comprendre\/","title":{"rendered":"Osteoarthritis and daily joint load: why do walking, stairs and postures accelerate wear and tear?"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why do the simplest actions become painful when...\u2019<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ligues-rhumatisme.ch\/rhumatismes-de-a-a-z\/arthrose\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">osteoarthritis<\/a> progress?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When we think of <a href=\"https:\/\/coulinmedical.com\/en\/larthrose-mieux-comprendre-cette-maladie\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"23049\">osteoarthritis<\/a> Regarding the knee, we often imagine the &quot;natural&quot; wear and tear of cartilage linked to age. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, it is everyday actions, such as walking, climbing stairs, and getting up from a chair, that exert the greatest load on the knee and, over time, accelerate the progression of osteoarthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To understand why the joint becomes painful, it is necessary to analyze what the knee actually undergoes with each movement: pressures, shear forces, load imbalances, repeated microtraumas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Far from being insignificant, these efforts determine the progression of the disease and explain why some patients see their osteoarthritis progress faster.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"max-width: 350px;\"><blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DUX7CEUARAg\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DUX7CEUARAg\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewbox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DUX7CEUARAg\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by Coulin Center of Movement (@coulinmedical)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Walking: a simple movement, but with considerable forces.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Walking seems to be the most natural activity. Yet, each step applies a load to the knee equivalent to\u00a0<strong>2 to 3 times body weight<\/strong>.<br>In a 70 kg patient, this represents more than 200 kg transmitted into the joint with each step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a knee that is not very worn, these forces are easily absorbed.<br>But in the case of osteoarthritis:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The cartilage loses its elasticity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the surfaces become irregular,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>lubrication decreases,<br>which makes walking much more aggressive for internal structures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The more the distance, cadence or speed increases, the more the joint load accumulates and accelerates wear and tear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stairs: one of the most demanding activities for the knee<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Going up or down stairs is one of the most demanding movements for the joint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Uphill<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The force applied reaches 4 to 6 times the body weight, because the knee must support the body while propelling upwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Downhill<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is even more demanding: the descent causes a braking of the quadriceps, generating strong shear forces, particularly painful in case of wear of the femoropatellar compartment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For an arthritic knee, these repeated stresses:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>promote inflammatory flare-ups.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>irritate areas that have already been thinned,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>put excessive stress on the damaged cartilage,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Everyday postures: squatting, sitting, twisting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Certain positions or movements, often overlooked, cause significant mechanical stresses:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Squat or kneel<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These movements compress the cartilage to the maximum, especially at the femoropatellar level.<br>Prolonged pressure in these positions can increase pain and accelerate deterioration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Getting up from a chair<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This action increases the pressure on the joint, especially if the chair is low.<br>The knee must exert intense effort to generate the vertical thrust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Rapid twists and pivots<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rotational movements apply shear forces to weakened cartilaginous surfaces.<br>It is often during these movements that the &quot;creaking&quot; sounds appear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why do these activities accelerate osteoarthritis?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cartilage wear is not just a matter of age:<br>It depends primarily on the quality of the movements and the mechanical forces applied to the knee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When the stresses exceed what the cartilage can absorb:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>the micro-cracks widen,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the surface becomes rougher,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>friction increases,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>inflammation sets in more easily.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This vicious cycle explains why some patients see their osteoarthritis progress rapidly, even without engaging in intensive sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is it possible to continue walking or climbing stairs despite having arthritis?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, but with adjustments. An arthritic knee doesn&#039;t like fast paces, long descents, inclined surfaces, and prolonged flexed postures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the other hand, it tolerates better: gentle and intermittent walking, flat surfaces, the use of a handrail on stairs and well-aligned resting postures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&#039;s not the movement itself that damages the knee: it&#039;s&nbsp;<strong>intensity<\/strong>,&nbsp;<strong>the repetition<\/strong>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<strong>poor distribution of burdens<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How can you best protect your knee on a daily basis?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Without repeating the solutions from the existing article, here are some new strategies targeting mechanical loads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Easing the descents: alternate with the elevator during painful moments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Adjust the pace<\/strong>&nbsp;: brisk walking puts more strain on the cartilage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose cushioned shoes to reduce impact.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Avoid deep bends<\/strong>&nbsp;which compress the knee at more than 90\u00b0.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Opt for soft surfaces<\/strong>&nbsp;outdoors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strengthen the stabilizing muscles to reduce lateral stress.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These adjustments allow you to protect the joint without giving up an active life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Knee osteoarthritis is not just wear and tear due to time: it is strongly influenced by the mechanical loads applied on a daily basis.<br>Walking, climbing stairs or simply getting up from a chair can, depending on the condition of the joint, accelerate cartilage degradation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Understanding these mechanisms allows for adapting movements, protecting the knee, and preserving mobility in the long term. Personalized care helps each patient learn how to move without aggravating wear and tear and how to better distribute the load on a daily basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Knee osteoarthritis doesn&#039;t progress solely due to age; it&#039;s heavily influenced by the mechanical stresses the joint endures daily. Understanding how these stresses accumulate and impact the cartilage is essential for better anticipating the disease&#039;s progression and choosing a truly appropriate treatment.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24759,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[98,104],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23818","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-genou","category-comprendre-informer"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coulinmedical.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23818","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coulinmedical.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coulinmedical.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coulinmedical.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coulinmedical.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23818"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/coulinmedical.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23818\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25026,"href":"https:\/\/coulinmedical.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23818\/revisions\/25026"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coulinmedical.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24759"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coulinmedical.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23818"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coulinmedical.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23818"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coulinmedical.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23818"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}