ÜBERGEWICHT

The influence of obesity on the knee

Obesity is the cause of joint problems. Knees, hips and ankles are constantly being affected. The reason for this is that during walking, the pressure exerted on the kneecaps is 3 to 6 times the body weight. The knee of a 100 kilogram person will therefore bear between 300 and 600 kilos for every step that he or she takes. It is resistant, flexible and mobile at the same time. The knee joint is the joint in the body that is under the most pressure. It connects The excess weight can also cause inflammation of the knees. The harmful effects of obesity on the knee are multiple.

The consequences of being overweight on the knee

The effects of obesity on the knees should not be neglected. The joints wear out prematurely in the overweight person. Every step they take puts extra strain on them.

Gonarthrosis

This is a chronic joint pathology, the effect of obesity on the knee and affecting the knee cartilage. Generally, this disease affects both knees at the same time. The first sign of this disease is pain in the knee. It is during exertion that the patient feels the pain. At rest, the pain disappears or subsides. The patient may also have difficulty walking, as even the slightest effort is painful. The patient may not be able to carry a load. Joint stiffness can occur, as well as a blockage of the joints. It can take a few minutes to regain mobility.

Extra-articular conditions

Knee pain may not affect the joints. They include, among others:

Weight loss to reduce knee pain

Even moderate weight loss can relieve the pain caused by osteoarthritis of the knee. 5 to 6% less weight can really help. Physical function improves by 24% in most cases. Similarly, the frequency of pain is reduced by 30%. The effects of obesity on the knee decrease considerably when the overweight person changes his or her habits. For example, he or she may be advised to follow a diet. The composition of the meals will be changed by reducing any unnecessary calorie intake. In other cases, physical exercise alone may be sufficient. These will consist of resistance exercises and aerobics. For better results, diet and exercise can be combined.

The benefits of physical exercise on osteoarthritis

Adapted physical exercises are recommended for people suffering from arthrosis, including gonarthrosis. However, consideration must be given to any other diseases that affect them, such as cardiovascular disease. The doctor and the physiotherapist can give their opinions on this subject. The stage of development of arthrosis must also be considered. The aim is to reduce the effects of obesity on the knee.

Good tips for relieving a painful knee

The consequences of obesity on the knee are mainly related to pain. It can sometimes be so severe that it causes the patient great suffering. So how can it be alleviated?

Eat foods that relieve pain

A healthy diet is always good for your health. Essential foods are:

They prevent knee pain, treat it and limit the effects of obesity on the knee.

Banning violent sports

Stop or avoid extreme sports. This is the best way to take care of and protect your knee. Some sports such as skiing or extreme motocross contribute to the tearing of knee ligaments. Sports such as running put a lot of strain on the knee joints. For this reason, they are strongly discouraged.

Swimming, on the other hand, relieves both muscle and joint pain.

Practicing daily knee care

The painful joint can be massaged once or twice a day without pressing the finger too hard. Olive oil is recommended for its anti-inflammatory properties. An ice pack can also help. It is an effective and practical pain reliever that can stop the harmful effects of obesity on the knee.