Weight Gain and Knee Pain Connection

When you look at the scale and it is telling you things you do not want to hear, just know that you are in the same boat as millions of people around the world. In these unprecedented times, many individuals have put on extra pounds during the time regular routines came to a screeching halt.

Now as the country slowly moves toward the new normal, people may be able to get back into regular exercise and workout routines again. Some will need to address the changes their bodies have gone through during those days of inactivity. For some individuals, this may mean tackling that pesky knee pain that does not want to go away.

Stress, Weight and Pain

We seldom consider the forces of pressure that certain body parts endure. When you understand how these forces work, you will also understand why a small amount of weight gain can add up quickly to tremendous stress on your knee joints.

With every step across level ground, your knees feel about one and a half times your body weight. If you weigh l50 pounds, with each step your knees endure 225 pounds of pressure. Rheumatology experts estimate that just 10 pounds of excess weight can increase the force on the knees by 30 to 40 pounds with each step.

When you are overweight, you become more susceptible to arthritis because of the additional stress on the knee, which is a weight-bearing joint. The added stress contributes to damage resulting in pain and inflammation. Obesity accounts for much of the development of osteoarthritis in the knee joints and it is the most common cause of knee pain.

Adopting a Healthier Lifestyle

When you adopt and maintain a lifestyle that includes eating healthy foods, exercising regularly and getting adequate rest, you protect your joints from unnecessary wear and tear. Your body is going to age naturally as a matter of course; however, you can help it stay healthy while it ages if you take proper steps. Eating non-inflammatory foods, drinking plenty of water and warming up before exercising and cooling down afterward help keep your joints in good shape.

You may feel that your choices are limited and the damage has already been done. Discover your options and learn how you can regain mobility in your knees. Contact the Robotic Joint Center and schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Frederick Buechel, Jr. to find out more about knee procedures that will help you get moving again.