The purpose of this study is to understand the factors that lead to muscle weakness with arthritis and aging.

Through this study, we hope to learn about the natural history of knee osteoarthritis and the disability that arises from it. We hope to better understand why people with knee osteoarthritis develop difficulty with mobility (e.g. walking, standing) in hopes of finding a cure.

There are two visits over a one-week period, and a 2-year follow-up visit. The visits involve a physical exam, a DEXA bone density scan, blood and urine testing, knee x-rays, and electromyography (EMG), and in some cases, a muscle biopsy.

Participation in this study is entirely voluntary.

Ages Eligible for Study:  50 Years and above,  Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• 50 years of age or older
• A Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or less
• Osteoarthritis of the knee (prior to knee surgery) OR
• A healthy knee

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of a stroke
• History of muscle weakness or paralysis
• History of Rheumatoid Arthritis or
• Inflammatory Joint Disease
• History of a Bleeding Disorder
• History of Gout
• Diabetes for which you take insulin
• Polymyalgia rheumatica (total body muscle aching/stiffness)