Arthritis & Weight Loss

[-SharonA-]

Has anyone here who suffers from arthritis in knees found that losing weight was beneficial??
I have been told by my gp it is in my best interest and I will benefit. My friend who is as skinny as a rake, suffers too.

[rowanwitch]

Definitely, if I go above a certain weight the pain increases , much better the more weight I lose, and because I am also less breathless I can exercise a bit more.

[emmie]

i haven't been offered that advice, though i am sure it is in some ways, but i have osteo arthritis, which is basic wear and tear.

[pastafreak]

It would make sense, as if means less pressure on the joints.

[rowanwitch]

The weight of your body increases the pressure on your knees, reduce the weight, you reduce the pressure and reduce further damage.

[burlyshirley]

I've heard this too, but I also have a very slim friend and she also has arthritic knees, and yet when you read about a woman who has lost weight in say a magazine, one of the first things they always say is that it has helped their knee joints !

[emmie]

i was advised to do exercises, to strengthen the muscles around the joint,

[rowanwitch]

I wonder if the slim friend was like mine, did a lot of spot when younger, trainers as we know them didn't exist so little or no protection against impact damage. Most of her old hockey chums have needed joint replacements as far as I can tell.

[emmie]

if the damage is already there, how does it benefit to lose weight. I know i should but no idea what to cut out from my already meagre diet.

[rowanwitch]

Quad strengthening exercises really do help as well so the muscles support the joint in its correct position.

[emmie]

i did a lot of sport in my younger years, cycled, walked, played tennis, now my knees are paying me back for that.

[barry1010]

According to studies losing one pound of weight relieves four pounds of pressure on the knees so it makes sense that losing weight will help with the pain.

[emmie]

good luck, and let us know if you diet, how you get on.

[rowanwitch]

Emmie, less downward pressure on the joint slows further deterioration and reduces the pain caused by the joint grating on itself as the cartilage is gradually destroyed.

[-SharonA-]

Rowan, you're right about slim friend, she went running most days.
I am surprised at how my pain from arthritis has come on.
Well, dieting from now till Xmas as doctor gonna weigh me next month.
And having a good look at my diet as I really don't eat fatty food, I guess it's the portion size!!

[Sqad]

Your GP has given you good advice.
The two main joints involved in Osteoarthritis are the hip and knee joints, both are WEIGHT bearing joints.
The advice is in the above sentence.

As for the skinny Arthritics, their knee or hip problems may be due to something that happened in the past....sporting injuries etc.

The problem with arthritics is how to lose weight as their lack of mobility may offer eating as their only pleasure.

[jennyjoan]

I have a thinnish friend too who has arthritis but it would be in her hands and some times in her back. And quite fit - when she can she goes to the local pool and do about 50 lengths at the one go - yet she can complain about pain.

[-SharonA-]

Jenny, I am taking up swimming again. Starting Monday at my local, doing gentle laps. I don't know why I stopped swimming but it is a good exercise. GP also recommended Pilates, but I really don't fancy that as I did it before and it was agony.

[Barsel]

Sharon, I have osteoarthritis in my knees and am currently having acupuncture at the hospital for it.
Have only had 1 session up to now but will be having it every week for the next 5 weeks.
I purposely went on a diet as I felt I needed to lose some weight, and I've lost a stone, but it hasn't made any difference to the pain.
Saw my Rheumatologist on Tuesday who noticed I'd lost weight but she just said she didn't think I was overweight in the first place and made no mention of it being of help to my joints.
Taking up swimming sounds like a great idea, hope that will help you.

[Electrochem]

I suffer from osteoarthritis in my right knee. Losing weight has helped (I go to Slimming World) and I have taken up swimming again, which because it is weight bearing, is a good exercise if you have painful joints. I swim non-stop for at least an hour (breast stroke). Many moons ago I used to cycle at least 300 miles a week.

This link may help:

https://www.hopkinsarthritis.org/patient-corner/disease-management/role-of-body-weight-in-osteoarthritis/

[jennyjoan]

I hate swimming as I can't stand the cold water oh no - am too old for that carry on. You take your drawers off, jump into the water, then struggle with getting your bathing costume off which has stuck to your bodily creases, put your drawers on again - and then if you are lucky - you go home and meet a nice man like Sqad who wants to take your drawers off again - nah nah to oul and coul.