The Dangers of Obesity and Knee Replacement

The solution to people with knee problems can be apossible that surgery will not be an option once
mix of medication and proper diet. For more seriousobese patients have been found to have other
cases, knee surgery may become inevitable. Thismedical problems.
means that the entire knee will have to be replacedIssues after the Knee Surgery
with an artificial joint so that they can walk againEven if the surgery becomes successful, obesity can
without pain. Unfortunately, it may be more difficultstill become a major hurdle during the recovery
for people who are considered to be obese to enjoyperiod. The existing conditions of the patient may
the long-term effects of surgery. There are evendelay the complete healing of the wounds and how
experts that say obesity and knee replacement dothe artificial knee adapts to the leg. Most importantly,
not particularly mix well.physical rehabilitation may be longer for people who
Why Knee Replacement Is Importantare weight challenged.
The joints that make up our knees are cushionedIt will actually take more time for them to get back
and protected by a material called cartilage. It is thethe strength of the muscles and bones. Because of
same organic material our ears are made of. Factorstheir weight, they are mostly likely to be given
such as too much fast food and sports like running orcontinuous passive motion or CPM treatments, so
basketball can contribute to the reduction of cartilagethey and their artificial knees can start physical
in the knee. The problem results to the joints notexercises without so much strain.
moving properly and excruciating pain.Aside from the long recovery, certain studies have
Obesity can even play a part in the degradation ofshown that 1 out of 10 obese people who had
the knee. As mentioned above, certain foods thatarthroplasty found that the surgery was not
cause obesity in general can also affect the cartilage.successful after five or six years. This is because the
Furthermore, the knee of an obese person is underadditional weight caused more stress on the artificial
more weight and pressure compared to a healthierjoint. This caused the joints to develop stiffness or
individual, increasing the possibilities of osteoarthritis.malfunction altogether. This is a stark contrast to the
How Can Obesity Affect Knee Replacement?100 percent success rates of knee surgery on people
Arthroplasty or knee replacement is considered awho are not obese.
major surgery. Hence, there are several tests thatA strict doctor ordered rehabilitation always follows
patients are required to take to make sure that theyknee replacement surgery. Unfortunately, this rehab
fit to be on the operation table. These tests include ais only enough to give you some mobility and get
blood-clotting test and electrocardiogram or ECG,back part of your life. They don't expect people with
among others. These tests may reveal otherknee replacements to have the full abilities like they
conditions that may affect the success of theonce did, so they don't even try. With the right
operation.exercise and routines, though, you can have that life
This is where obese patients usually have a problem.back, despite what the doctors tell you. Take the
Due to their weight condition, it is more likely thattime to learn about rehabilitation from knee
they also have high blood pressure and heartreplacement surgery, and how you can ease your
ailments. This means doctors will have to take extrafear of living a sedentary life by taking action.
precaution during the actual surgery. It is even