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