Knee Pain Often Accompanied by Other Aches
 (Reuters Health, 7/28/05)

Dr. Peter Croft and his associates at Keele University, UK, surveyed more than 6,000 patients, age 50 years or older, who reported having pain somewhere in their bodies for at least one day of the previous month. The investigators found that 57 % of those with knee pain also had pain in at least two other areas. The researchers note that many of the respondents probably have osteoarthritis of the knee, which can cause other aches by altering the subject’s posture, gait or general activity. In addition, obesity may promote multiple pains. The scientists speculate that, even though older people tend to experience more widespread aches rather than isolated forms of arthritis, it is possible that dealing with knees that hurt may lessen the pain at other sites.

(Arthritis & Rheumatism, August 2005)