Carrying extra weight can lead to aches and pains. But did you know that being overweight or obese can damage your joints permanently?
If you are overweight or obese, you may have noticed that your knees are creaky or sore. Perhaps your ankles swell or feel tight after walking. Maybe your hips hurt.
These symptoms are all possible signs of joint damage (most likely, osteoarthritis). Being heavy or obese increases your likelihood of getting arthritis, raising the risk from 1 in 5 — the typical risk of arthritis among Americans — to 1 in 3.
Osteoarthritis is the breakdown of cartilage that covers the ends of the bones in your joints. The purpose of this cartilage is to pad the bones, allowing them to slide past each other smoothly without grinding.
Over time, aging causes this cartilage to break down from normal wear and tear, leading to friction between the bones that causes pain, stiffness, and a reduced range of motion. This condition, osteoarthritis (OA), affects about 27 million Americans.
The age of onset for OA varies, as does its severity. For most people with OA, it begins around middle age. However, certain lifestyles can lead to individuals getting osteoarthritis earlier or suffering from more severe cartilage breakdown.
Previous injuries, excessive wear and tear from athletics, heredity, and obesity can all contribute to a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis.
If you are obese, you are more likely to develop osteoarthritis. If you already have osteoarthritis, being obese will very likely make your arthritis worse.
Why does this happen?
Obesity also plays a role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). If you have RA, your body's immune system attacks your joint tissue, creating inflammation, joint pain, and erosion of cartilage.
In addition to the biomechanical stress on the joints from being heavy, fat tissue itself makes RA symptoms worse by releasing chemicals called cytokines, which increase joint inflammation.
Obesity has also been linked to other inflammatory conditions that cause joint damage and joint pain, including:
Gout. Gout is caused by an increase of insulin in the body, which inhibits the ability of the kidneys to process uric acid. As a result, uric acid crystals build up in the joints, causing acute pain (usually in the big toe). About 70% of all people with gout are overweight, and the extremely obese are about ten times as likely to develop the condition as people who maintain a healthy weight.
Fibromyalgia. This pain disorder is characterized by tender points of inflammation throughout the body. Recent studies show that being obese and inactive increases one's risk of developing fibromyalgia. Heavier patients also experience more severe symptoms.
Lupus. People with the autoimmune disorder lupus experience joint inflammation that can make physical coordination and everyday activities difficult. Lupus patients with higher BMIs tend to experience higher levels of disability, largely because the fat tissue releases cytokines that trigger joint inflammation.
Obesity can affect children's joint health, too. Obese or overweight children carry extra weight that stresses their growth plates — the areas at the end of their long bones (arms and legs) that develop cartilage and regulate the length and shape of bones when they reach maturity. This excess stress can harm bone growth and the development of cartilage.
In addition, carrying too much weight leads to more impact on the bones and joints, which can lead to a greater than normal level of wear and tear. Obesity can also lead to hormonal imbalances, which may affect musculoskeletal growth. As a result, obese and overweight children can become prone to:
Obesity can have a serious impact on a child's physical development. If your child is overweight and you are worried, see a doctor. Reduced screen time, scheduled outdoor play, and a safe exercise and diet program can go a long way toward reducing the risk of joint damage in the future.
Joint damage, once sustained, is not reversible. However, options are available to help improve joint pain and function.
Lose weight. If you can, start a gentle, low-impact exercise regimen to drop excess weight. Even a modest reduction in body mass can help to take some of the stress off your joints, helping you to feel and move better. One recent study showed that among obese older adults with osteoarthritis (OA), a weight loss of 5% boosted the participants' overall function by 18%.
See an orthopedic specialist. If your joint pain and mobility issues are chronic, an orthopedist can advise you about physical therapy, treatments, and surgery (for example, knee replacement or arthroscopy).
For more information, give Coastal Orthopedics in Corpus Christi, TX a call and ask for a consultation. Our experts can assess the condition of your joints and create a treatment plan that works for you. Telephone: 361.994.1166.
Article written by: Rob Williams, MD