According to the CDC figures, one in five Americans at present has been diagnosed with some form of arthritis. The condition is even more common among patients who are overweight. Over one-third of obese Americans also suffer from some form of arthritis. Considering these figures, medical researchers increasingly point towards the long-term effects of obesity on the body, which include arthritis.
Bariatric surgery is a proven and effective treatment option for people who are unable to moderate the impacts of obesity through diet and exercise alone.
Dr. Wiljon Beltre is one of Central Florida’s only fellowship-trained bariatric surgeons providing advanced weight loss surgery procedures to patients in Orlando, Tampa, Altamonte Springs, Central Florida, and other communities and neighborhoods in this geographical region of North Florida.
Link between Obesity and Arthritis
Obesity and arthritis link appears to be fairly direct: the more weight on a joint, the more are the chances of the joint wearing out and breaking down. One pound of extra weight leads to four pounds of extra pressure on the knees. In other words, a person who is 10 pounds overweight has an additional 40 pounds of pressure on the knees, while a person who is 100 pounds overweight has an additional 400 pounds of excess pressure on the knees.
As a result, the knee joints are the most commonly affected by arthritis. It is fairly clear that if the excess body weight is reduced, it will relieve the pressure on knee joints and help mitigate the symptoms of arthritis. However, for a patient of arthritis, it becomes very difficult to lose weight through physical exercise because arthritis breaks down the joints and makes the movements increasingly painful.
Patients should note that the relationship between arthritis and obesity is more complex than a simple function of pressure. Irrespective of the type of arthritis, researchers now believe that as an autoimmune disorder, arthritis is also chemically impacted by excess weight.
Excess fat tissue causes the development and release of chemicals such as cytokines and adipokines, which lead to joint inflammation and damage.
Anyone who has extra fat on their body knows this makes them more unattractive which effects their quality of life. This also undermines their self-esteem to a certain degree and can make some social situations awkward.
Treatment with Weight Loss Surgery
Bariatric surgery does not address arthritis the same way it treats other metabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes. This is because the damage caused to the cartilage by arthritis cannot be reversed except through joint replacement surgery. But weight loss procedures can still play a vital role in fighting the painful arthritis symptoms as well as help prevent further degeneration.
A safe, effective, and realistic weight loss option for obese arthritis patients is bariatric surgery. This can help the patient achieve long term weight loss, and lead to reduction of weight on the bones and the amount of fat cells triggering inflammation. Once the weight loss begins, the excessive pressure on knee joints progressively reduces. Patients can make greater movement and find it easier to do physical exercises, leading to even further weight loss.
In cases where joint degradation has advanced to a stage where replacement surgery is necessary, the weight loss through metabolic surgery can make the joint replacement procedure easier. Profound and adroit bariatric surgeon Dr. Beltre receives patients from Orlando, Tampa, Altamonte Springs, Central Florida, and nearby areas for weight loss procedures.
And as weight loss begins, the excess pressure on the knee joints is reduced and movement and regular exercise become easier, sparking even further weight loss! Moreover, if the degradation of the joints has progressed to the point where joint replacement is required, the weight loss facilitated by metabolic surgery makes joint replacement surgery easier, safer, and more successful.
Important Note: If the weight is regained, diabetes and other conditions could return.
To find out more about the procedures & treatments performed by Orlando Bariatric Surgeon, Dr. Wiljon Beltre, at The Center for Metabolic and Obesity Surgery Call 407-830-6868 or Click Here to Schedule a Consultation.
Important Note: If the weight is regained, diabetes and other conditions could return.
