It is confirmed that the number of obese people are higher than the number of underweight people. Obesity, in simpler terms, excessive fat is the major cause of several diseases and disorders. It triggers several disastrous conditions in our bodies. One of the conditions also includes joint pain.

Excess weight and joint pain share a complex and interconnected relationship. The strain due to massive weight over joints can cause chronic joint pain. Regions like knees and hips can be severely affected due to excessive weight. ‘Knee pain obesity’ can even cause conditions like osteoarthritis. 

Furthermore, limited mobility, decreased independence, sleep disturbances and reduced sleep can all share the same cause- obesity. In the following blog, we will learn about weight and joint pain connection. We will also discover joint pain treatment along with helpful strategies.  

Knee Pain and Obesity

Joints including knees are of great help to human beings. They help and support in the following ways-

• They support the body's weight and maintain a balance.
• They enable leg movement, including bending and straightening.
• They also absorb shock during activities like walking and running.
• They provide stability during standing and various physical activities.
• They contribute to motion in legs. 

A distress in knees can mean loss of several benefits including mobility and independence. Obesity can affect knees in immense ways. It puts mechanical stress on the knee joints. This extra load leads to accelerated wear and tear of the joint cartilage and may trigger inflammation. This can further cause conditions like osteoarthritis. 

Moreover, excessive weight can also alter the biomechanics of the knees which can contribute to malalignment and instability. Overall, conditions like chronic knee pain, reduced mobility and an increased risk of injuries can arise in individuals with obesity. 

Understanding Joint Pain

Joint pain can be of several types. Different pain can indicate different conditions. They are as follows-

• Osteoarthritis: 

This is the most common type of joint pain in the world. Every year, more than 500 million people deal with osteoarthritis according to the latest reports. It primarily affects weight-bearing joints like the knees, hips and spine. This resultantly causes pain, stiffness and decreased mobility. 

• Rheumatoid arthritis:

This is an autoimmune disorder that can affect multiple joints at the same time. It leads to chronic pain, infection and even joint deformities. Additionally, it affects any joint of the body including the knee, hips, hands, wrists and so on. 

• Gout:

This is a form of arthritis caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in joints. It results in sudden, severe pain, swelling and redness in the affected joint.

• Ankylosing spondylitis:

This primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints which leads to stiffness, pain and reduced mobility.

• Psoriatic arthritis:

This condition is associated with the skin condition psoriasis. It can affect various joints and cause inflammation. 

• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis:

This is a type of arthritis that affects children. It can manifest in various forms like joint pain and inflammation.

• Bursitis and tendinitis:

This condition involves inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion joints. Tendinitis is inflammation of tendons. Both can result in joint pain in shoulders and elbows.

• Septic arthritis:

This condition is caused by a bacterial or fungal infection in a joint which leads to severe pain, swelling and fever.

• Osteoporosis:

While not typically considered joint pain, osteoporosis weakens bones and causes fractures as well. Moreover, there is extreme pain. 

Joint Pain Treatment

Lifestyle changes are the most important part of joint pain treatment. Weight management is difficult but suffering from the conditions it brings is even more difficult. Below are some key aspects to consider in joint pain treatment-

• Receiving accurate and precise diagnosis is the first most important step.
• After learning about the underlying cause of joint pain, work towards it.
• Your doctor can prescribe some medications to consume. Make sure to never miss any.
• You can also meet physical therapists to get personalised exercises designed. This will help you reduce pain to a huge extent.
• Maintain weight with different activities including conscious eating.  
• Make use of assistive devices like braces, canes or orthotics if needed. 
• Get enough sleep and rest.
• Make use of hot and cold therapies. Heat can ease stiffness whereas cold can reduce inflammation and pain.
• Make dietary changes like cutting down on smoking to manage pain effectively. 
• Finally, make sure to go for regular check-ups and follow-ups. 

If an individual follows the above stated treatment plan, it is very likely to gain a better health status. Being disciplined and consistent are the final keys to be conscious of. 

Conclusion

To sum up everything, it is visible that there is a significant link between weight and joint pain. The extra pounds we carry can place significant stress on our joints and cause pain. Understanding this connection is the first step toward managing and eliminating joint pain.