Knee pain is a recurrent issue faced by the American public. Many individuals suffer from painful or stiff joints, especially in the knees. We’ve seen obesity rates skyrocket recently, although in this case, you may be wondering if correlation means causation? With this post, we will take a closer look at the causes and effects of obese knee pain.
Is Obesity a Factor?
Let’s unpack the connection between your weight and your knees.
When walking across a level surface, the force put on your knees is the equivalent of one and a half times your body weight.
That means a 250-pound man will put 375 pounds of pressure on his knees with every step. When at an incline, this pressure goes up significantly. When you go up and down stairs, the force on each knee is two to three times your body weight. When you squat down, it is four to five times your body weight.
Over time, this pressure can lead to degenerative issues, such as knee osteoarthritis — the most common joint disorder — which is due to wear and tear on a joint.
Long story short: more weight = more stress on your knees = increased levels of knee joint pain. Thus, we can conclude that one’s body mass index (BMI) plays a role in long-term knee pain. Excessive weight can cause a lot of issues, and joint degeneration is one of them.
Every Pound Counts
Due to rising rates of overweight and obese individuals, we have seen a surge in the prevalence of osteoarthritis. This epidemic could easily be mitigated if we put more energy into diet and exercise, physical activity, and weight loss.
Maintaining a healthy weight is obviously important, but if overweight, a study found that losing as little as 10 pounds can decrease the progression of osteoarthritis by 50 percent. Losing weight can be tedious, but it could mean you avoid an expensive knee replacement down the line.
The Numbers
Over the years, studies have consistently shown that overweight people have higher rates of osteoarthritis than those with a healthy BMI. A study conducted with the intent to look at the connectivity between obesity and osteoarthritis found that those who are obese (with a body mass index between 30 and 35) are four to five times more likely to get arthritis in their knees.
Bariatric Surgery: Your Path to Health
If you or a loved one struggles with obesity, it’s worth looking into bariatric surgery.
WeightWise’s team of dedicated experts is here to help and guide you through the process. Although it can be challenging, our weight loss surgeries could be the difference between vigor and a lifetime of health problems. Don’t believe us? Check out our success stories and see for yourself what bariatric surgery can do for you!
Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns. We look forward to helping you along your journey to health.