| Arthritis, in general terms, is wearing out of the lining | | | | establish how obesity may interact with other |
| of the joint, which is called cartilage. Every joint- knee | | | | factors to potentially increase the risk of |
| or hip joint, which moves has a layer of about 8 to | | | | musculoskeletal diseases. Besides, the relationship |
| 12mm of cartilage, which is as smooth as a billiard ball. | | | | between obesity and osteoarthritis is stronger for |
| If cartilage is injured or eaten away or goes through | | | | the disease and is greater in women. The load |
| natural wear and tear, it leads to arthritis. | | | | transmitted to the knees varies with increased body |
| Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis which can affect | | | | weight. |
| any joint, including the spine. It is the form of joint | | | | Increase in life expectancy, coupled with overweight/ |
| disease and is more pronounced in the case of elderly | | | | obese conditions of the population shall lead to a |
| persons. Wear and tear of joints, due to aging leads | | | | larger number of patients with knee problems due to |
| to osteoarthritis. But this is not the single reason for | | | | osteoarthritis . Several changes, metabolic as well as |
| the disease. There are other contributing reasons | | | | functional, connect obesity with Osteoarthritis. |
| such as genetic factors, lack of nutrition and vitamins, | | | | Random trials show substantial and clinically relevant |
| (Vitamin A, C and E have the potential to protect | | | | disability and symptoms - relief in obese patients with |
| against tissue damage. Vitamin D plays an important | | | | knee osteoarthritis following moderate weight loss. |
| role in bone mineralisation). Female hormonal | | | | While exercises are good for the functional status in |
| deficiency in the case of post menopausal women, | | | | general, it is advisable initially to prescribe weight loss |
| leading to estrogen deficiency is also considered a | | | | as therapy for patients with a combination of obesity |
| risk factor and women are more susceptible to | | | | and osteoarthritis. |
| osteoarthritis. | | | | Treatments / Tips to avoid Osteoarthritis: |
| In most of the cases, increased body weight | | | | 1. Avoid being obese/ overweight, with weight |
| contributes to the increased load transmitted across | | | | management diet schedule and proper exercise. |
| the weight bearing knees by a factor of three to | | | | 2. Ensure intake of vitamins A and C, through food |
| seven times the body weight and leads to | | | | and nutrient supplements. |
| accelerated damage of the cartilage. | | | | 3. Ensure muscle strength in quadriceps (thigh |
| Obesity is a potential risk factor for the onset and | | | | muscles). |
| deterioration of musculoskeletal conditions of the hip, | | | | 4. Increased activities of kneeling, squatting, climbing |
| knee, ankle, foot and shoulder. Majority of research | | | | stairs and lifting heavy loads cause abnormal loading |
| have focused on the impact of obesity on bone and | | | | across the knee joint and cartilage damage. To the |
| joint disorders, such as the risk of fracture and | | | | extent possible, this may be reduced. |
| osteoarthritis. However, evidence indicates that | | | | 5 Emu oil is considered to provide relief for joint pains |
| obesity may also have a profound effect on | | | | and arthritis. |
| soft-tissue structures, such as tendon, fascia and | | | | 7. Liberal intake of orange juice, sweet lime juice or |
| cartilage. Although the mechanism remains unclear, | | | | Vitamin C enhance the efficacy of any anti-rheumatic |
| the functional and structural limitations imposed by | | | | drug, since Vitamin C can reduce skeletal pain. |
| the additional loading of the locomotor system in | | | | 8. Body massage with sesame or mustard oil helps to |
| obesity have been accepted to unduly raising stress | | | | reduce the pain. The joints affected by pain can be |
| within connective-tissue structures and the potential | | | | massaged for longer time for pain relief. |
| for musculoskeletal injury. Considering the global | | | | 9. Guggul, as a medicine for traditional Ayurvedic |
| increase in obesity and the rise in musculoskeletal | | | | treatment is prescribed for osteoarthritis and obesity. |
| disorders, there is a need to determine the physical | | | | However patients electing to undergo this treatment |
| consequences of loading of major structures of the | | | | should be closely monitored and counseled about the |
| locomotor system in the obese people and to | | | | need for dietary modifications and exercise. |