Obesity rates continue to climb in America, and consequently it should come as no surprise that joint replacement procedures are also becoming more common. Carrying more weight means that your knees have to handle more stress with each step you take, and over the course of years, this repetitive stress serves to break down your knee joint faster than someone at an ideal body weight. Not only is obesity an underlying factor as to why someone may need a surgical operation, but it can also complicate the surgery itself, meaning it’s imperative that you work to control your weight prior to your procedure. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at obesity and your knee replacement operation.
Losing Weight Before Knee Replacement Surgery
There are differing medical opinions on just how important it is to lose weight prior to your knee replacement surgery, and there are a number of individual factors that weigh into this decision. We’ll dive into those factors in a little bit, but first, we want to talk about the clear link between obesity and the need for knee replacement surgery.
As we explained in the intro, the more weight you carry, the more stress your knees have to handle, and that takes a toll over the years. One study found that 77 percent of patients under the age of 60 who underwent joint replacement surgery were obese compared to just 26 percent of the general popluation. Another study found that obese patients needed knee replacement procedures 13 years sooner than the average population. It’s clear that obesity and knee degeneration are closely linked.
So while being overweight may lead to a faster need to undergo knee replacement surgery, just how important is it to lose weight prior to your operation? Losing weight in the month before your operation isn’t going to free you from the need to have your joint replaced, but it can help to take some stress off the knee, which will be helpful after the procedure when it’s working to recover from the trauma of surgery. Weight loss before surgery is more beneficial for life after surgery. It can slightly reduce your risk of complications or issues during surgery, but the main benefit will be how it will make recovery a bit easier.
The importance of weight loss prior to and after your knee replacement procedure is also dependent on your age. While artificial joints are becoming more durable and lasting longer, it will be more important for a 50-year-old to work towards a healthier weight than an 80-year-old who is undergoing the same procedure. The younger patient will likely put a lot more miles on their artificial knee than someone who is much older, so if they remain at a very heavy weight for a long-period of time, they are more likely to deal with implant-related issues or require a secondary procedure.
Finally, it’s also worth noting that you need to come into surgery mentally prepared to make some lifestyle changes that will help you be healthier after your joint replacement operation. Many patients assume that knee replacement will reduce their pain and increase their function, and in turn they will naturally be more active. Knee replacement does help reduce pain and increase function, but you still need to make the conscious choice to become more active. In fact, in most patients with BMI ratings over 30, they tend to gain more weight after surgery. The weight won’t just fall off, you need to make conscious choices to increase your activity habits, otherwise you may continue to gain weight and put more stress on your newly replaced joint.
Dr. Botero and his team ensure that weight management is a focal point of all knee and hip replacement procedures. Even if you’re at an ideal weight, we’ll talk with you about how you can avoid weight gain as your mobility is limited during your recovery. We know how connected joint issues and obesity are, and while it likely won’t prevent you from undergoing a joint replacement procedure, understanding the connectedness helps ensure patients have the knowledge and tools they need to make the fullest recovery. For more information, or for help with your knee or hip issues, reach out to Dr. Botero’s office today.
