With each new year, we are reminded to make resolutions for better health. Improving our diet and exercising more are common new year’s resolutions. If you suffer from constant joint pain, learn how excess weight affects the health of your hips and knees.
Our joints are working hard to support our body weight, and extra weight contributes to your joint pain.
In fact, each pound of body weight puts three to four pounds of pressure on your joints.1 This excess pressure can contribute to soft tissue damage, trigger osteoarthritis, and leave these joints more vulnerable to injury.
With two-thirds of Americans overweight, let’s take steps towards eating better and exercising regularly to maintain an optimal body weight for our joints. With a new beginning this year, set smart goals to improve your health and fitness. Eat a nutritious diet and commit to an exercise routine for better joint health. Check with your healthcare provider for a recommendation on which low impact exercises are good for your joint conditions, like swimming, walking or yoga.
Recent research by the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons shows that weight loss can relieve hip and knee pain without surgery. In fact, ten pounds of extra weight puts fifty pounds of weight-bearing pressure on your hips and knees.2
Losing just 10 pounds can help, and your hips and knees will thank you!
Dr. Paul Jacob is an advocate of improving individuals mobility and health with nonsurgical treatment options, including regenerative advanced therapy, platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy, and clinical nutrition. Dr. Jacob specializes in total hip and knee replacement surgery using advanced minimally invasive techniques with robotic assistance for better patient outcomes.
AUTHOR: Dr. Paul Jacob is a certified master surgeon in joint replacement and robotic joint replacement of the hip and knee in Oklahoma City. Dr. Jacob is recognized as one of the Top 3 Orthopedic Surgeons in Oklahoma, who has performed over 5000 robotic joint replacement procedures. Dr. Jacob is active in numerous research studies on joint replacement technology and robotic outcomes.
1. https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/why-weight-matters-when-it-comes-to-joint-pain
2. https://hipknee.aahks.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Relieving-Hip-and-Knee-Pain-without-Surgery.pdf
