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If weight gain is known to affect the joints, scientists agree on a new setting: even a gain of 5 kilos can increase your chances of having a knee prosthesis.
Osteoarthritis: weight loss reduces pain and disease progression
Osteoarthritis occurs when the cushioning cartilage in the joints wears down over time, leading the bones to “rub” against each other, causing pain, swelling and stiffness. Despite the number of people affected, no treatment currently makes it possible to cure osteoarthritis but it is possible to delay its development with medication, rehabilitation and lifestyle and dietary measures… When the gonarthrosis is very advanced and not relieved by medical treatment, fitting a knee prosthesis may be considered.
In terms of prevention, we have known for a long time that weight loss can reduce pain and the progression of the disease, by reducing the mechanical stress imposed on the knees. And conversely that a significant weight gain was deleterious. But until then, it was mainly thought that these tips were effective for overweight or obese people with osteoarthritis and only had an impact in the event of significant weight loss. A study shows the opposite.
From 25 to 35% more risk of using a prosthesis
Scientists gathered at the International Congress on Obesity in Melbourne, Australia, wanted to know if an increase in weight of just a few kilos can have an impact on the course of the disease.
The study, conducted by the rheumatology department of Australia’s Monash University, combines the results of 250,000 osteoarthritis patients.
Results: An increase of just 11 pounds (5 kilos) made total knee replacement surgery 35% more likely for women and 25% for men.
Even without going to this extreme, researchers believe that a few extra pounds can increase knee pain and stiffness while decreasing a person’s quality of life and limiting their ability to use their knees properly.
For the scientists present at this congress, most people do not think about the force that their knees see during a normal day.
Conversely, gaining a little weight brings an improvement
Fortunately, this worrying finding is coupled with a message of hope: the good news is that improved knee health can also occur without the person having to lose massive amounts of weight. Thus, an equivalent loss of 5 to 10 pounds (2.5 to 5 kg) can already improve joint comfort and reduce the consequences for the future. Weight is not the only factor in knee health.
A person’s past trauma, genetics and job may also play a role, scientists say. Thus, teleworking, for example, would also have a detrimental effect in the long term.
Watching your weight and maintaining regular exercise if you work seated should remain a priority if you care about your joints