Obesity -threat to knee joint

By Song Sang-ho

A 2010 news report revealed that 1 billion of the world’s 6 billion people were classed as overweight, out of which 300 million are said to be obese.

The World Health Organization (WHO) predicted that by 2020 obesity would be the cause of 60% of all illnesses and 70% of all deaths, and is considered to be a serious issue in the category of Global Warming or Avian Influenza.

The reason for such a focus on obesity is that it’s being commonly referred to as “the cause of all illnesses.”

Typically, it is known to raise the risk of diabetes, hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular disease and it also affects joint health.

Obesity causes early degenerative arthritis in the knee joints, which carry the entire weight of the rest of the body.

For every 1kg of weight accumulated the amount of pressure on the knees increases four to seven times, and as most of the body’s weight is concentrated on the inner part of the knee, obesity can deform or damage the knees’ joints by placing excessive pressure on them or accelerating damage to the cartilage.

Degenerative arthritis is a disorder common among the elderly people, the cartilage which protects the knee joint is worn down due to ageing which leads eventually to inflammation.

This disorder is generally more prevalent among women over the age of 50.

However, in contrast to the past the number of young people with degenerative arthritis caused by obesity is increasing as people exercise less and consume more calories.

In particular, it is important to consider the fact that the speed of initial cartilage damage among people suffering from degenerative arthritis is way faster for obese people than for people of normal weight.

Normally, excess knee pain and edema appear in obese people with a body mass index (BMI) of over 30,

Trouble going up and down stairs or heat in their knees may indicate degenerative arthritis.

Patients in the early stages of the disease receive shots, medication and physical therapy.

This can be aided by regularly exercise and a healthy diet.

However, it is recommended that patients gradually increase their exercise amount and intensity with the help of a specialist because excessive exercise can also damage the knee joints.

When arthritis is discovered early, the condition of the joints can be restored using a relatively simple method, however those who experience severe pain that makes it difficult to walk, or suffer from a level of degenerative arthritis that makes it hard to maintain a normal lifestyle should consider undergoing an artificial joint procedure.

In this procedure, an artificial joint is inserted to reduce the pain and restore its original functionality.

In particular, the “minimal incision technique” reduces damage to muscles and ligaments and makes it possible to undertake walking practice just 4 hours after surgery.

This procedure has a high level of satisfaction among patients as it allows them to return to a normal lifestyle more quickly.

Keeping weight at an appropriate level is essential for health.

A balanced diet and exercise are the most important and fundamental ways of maintaining a healthy body weight.

Although everyone knows this fact, there is almost no ideal way of staying healthy.

Even if you only have time only during weekends, we recommend you to devote a few minutes to rigorous exercise and make sure you get enough sleep regularly.

Please remember, health is the fruit of the effort you put in.

The writer is the president of Wellton Bone and Joint Hospital.