Losing weight to improve arthritis in knees

Hi Annegold

Like you, I have been having a long, difficult period with my knee.    I did a lot of reading to find out all the things I could possibly do to help myself and, like it or not, there was no way I could ignore all the recommendations to lose weight. .  I bit the bullet and over the last year I have lost about 3 stone.  (Slimming World principles work for me but I don’t go to their groups).  I definitely feel a lot more healthy for doing this.  Has it helped my knee?  Quite possibly, yes.  My knee is certainly feeling a lot better just now than it was but other interventions may have contributed to this as well as losing weight.  I can’t say for sure. I’m just inclined to view being 3 stone lighter as the silver lining to the big dark cloud of knee pain I have been under for many months.  

Hi Anne I have same problem.I am overweight mainly because my mobility is so bad and can’t do much exercise.I’m 8 weeks post kr and know if I was lighter there would be less pressure on my joints.I’m determined once I am further on in my recovery I am going to make a big effort to loose this weight as I know my health would definitely benefit.x

Yes, weight makes a big difference.  Something like 3 times your weight is the pressure you put on your knees. Than don’t forget your hips and back from the extra weight. I know because I was overweight all my life and have had a knee and a hip replaced and looking at the other hip and knee. Please take care of yourself before it is too late. It took 72 years to catch up with me but it certainly did and the pain was awful. 

My surgeon had me go through PT, cortisone shots and synvisc shots.  Then he told me I needed to take off weight to get the pressure off my knees.  I started to use an app called “loseit”. I logged everything I ate, took my dog for walks and by the end of a year (yup, took me a year) lost 42 pounds. When I had my TKR I was in fantastic shape, felt great and changed my attitude.  I did have the replacement, which honestly was incredibly brutal.  It has been 14 months since surgery, and I still log my foods and count calories.  Bakery delights were my downfall. I have learned to make good food choices.  So, my answer to you is this, take the weight off. It will make a tremendous difference.

Hi Anne ,reading your post was just like I was reading about myself and like the other ladies who have answered your post I agree with them losing weight would benefit your knees . Having had the tkn. 4 weeks ago I wish I had lost weight( hindsight is a wonderful thing !).The operation itself for me was good and all went well until the really hard work kicks in and you have the exercises to do and make no mistake about it they have to be done and it's painful!!! (my opinion ) .So go for it losing weight is a win win it will make you feel better and look good and if you still need the operation of will make your recovery easier . Hope all goes well for you what ever you decide .🙋

Losing weight helps EVERYTHING!!!!!  A few years ago, I was out of control...so was my blood sugar.  My nutritionist daughter put me on  P L E X U S...  Lost 57 pounds in 11 months.  The stuff makes you crave sugar waaaaay less so I started eating waaaaaay better.  Gave up all the junk, especially artificial sweeteners.  They are the worst.  I drink tea and water, eat chicken, fish and salads.  No McDonalds...Subway roasted chicken with lots of veggies.  Yeah, I'll eat something junky once in a while but never like before with the candy, ice cream, cookies, etc.  Can't even look at most of that stuff anymore.  Changed my life.  And yes...it does take stress off the knees.