The closer in length your ring and index fingers are, the greater your risk of developing severe knee osteoarthritis that requires total knee replacement, a new study claims.

Researchers examined the hands of more than 14,500 middle-aged and older people in Australia, and followed them for an average of more than 10 years. During that time, 580 people had total knee replacements and about 500 had total hip replacements.

Having ring and index fingers that were closer in length was associated with a higher risk of requiring total knee replacement due to osteoarthritis, according to the study, which was published online in the journal Rheumatology, Newsmax Health reports. The association was stronger with fingers on the right hand.

Osteoarthritis, which is related to normal wear and tear of joints, is the most common type of arthritis.

The researchers couldn't fully explain the new findings. It might be that participants with lower index- to ring-finger ratios performed higher-intensity physical activity, thus putting their knees at more risk.