For people with arthritis, joint pain can be a significant obstacle to daily activities. When the pain is in the knees, it can make even simple tasks like walking or going up and down stairs difficult or impossible. For some people, weight loss may help reduce knee pain and improve function. In other cases, surgery may be necessary to relieve the pain.

If you are considering knee replacement surgery, there are a few things you should know about how your weight could affect the procedure and its outcome.

How does weight affect knee pain?

Carrying extra weight puts additional stress on the knees. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. In some cases, weight loss may help to reduce knee pain and improve function.

How does weight affect knee replacement surgery?

If you are overweight or obese, you may be at increased risk for complications during and after knee replacement surgery. These complications can include infection, blood clots, and problems with the new joint. In addition, being overweight can make it more difficult to get around after surgery and may lead to a longer hospital stay.

For these reasons, it is important to try to reach a healthy weight before undergoing knee replacement surgery. If you are unable to lose enough weight on your own, your doctor may recommend bariatric surgery (also called weight loss surgery). This type of surgery can help you lose a significant amount of weight and improve your health.

Also check: 8 Tips of Choosing Best Orthopedic Doctor in Vadodara

Types of Knee Replacement Surgery

Total knee replacement surgery:

This type of knee replacement surgery is also known as total knee arthroplasty. In this procedure, the surgeon will remove the damaged cartilage and bone from your knee joint and replace it with an artificial joint made of metal and plastic.

Partial knee replacement surgery:

This type of knee replacement surgery is also known as a noncompartmental knee arthroplasty or partial knee arthroplasty. In this procedure, the surgeon will only replace the damaged portion of your knee joint with an artificial joint made of metal and plastic.

Knee resurfacing surgery:

This type of knee replacement surgery is also known as partial knee resurfacing or minimally invasive Epicondylar knee resurfacing. In this procedure, the surgeon will remove the damaged cartilage from your knee joint and then cap the remaining cartilage with a metal shell.

Knee revision surgery:

This type of knee replacement surgery is also known as a revision total knee arthroplasty or revision noncompartmental knee arthroplasty. In this procedure, the surgeon will remove the artificial joint that was previously implanted and replace it with a new artificial joint.

Also read: 8 Best Foot Exercises to Prevent Your Feet from Injury

Epicondylar knee replacement surgery:

This type of knee replacement surgery is also known as noncompartmental knee arthroplasty. In this procedure, the surgeon will only replace the damaged portion of your knee joint with an artificial joint made of metal and plastic.

Patellofemoral joint replacement surgery:

This type of knee replacement surgery is also known as a patellofemoral arthroplasty. In this procedure, the surgeon will replace the damaged cartilage in your patellofemoral joint with an artificial joint made of metal and plastic.

What if I am unable to lose weight before surgery?

If you are unable to lose enough weight to reach a healthy body mass index (BMI), your knee replacement surgeon in Vadodara may still be able to perform knee replacement surgery. In some cases, special techniques can be used to minimize complications. However, it is important to speak with your doctor about the risks and benefits of surgery before making a decision.

Weight loss is not always easy, but it can make a big difference in your health. If you are considering knee replacement surgery, talk to your best orthopedic doctor in Baroda about what you can do to improve your chances for a successful outcome.