I got a newsletter from my physical therapy office that gave this information. I did a google search and found more information in this article:
http://www.arthritisandsports.com/blog/?p=279
Dr. Peyton comments, “Every additional pound you carry equals 3 extra pounds of pressure on your hip joint, 4 extra pounds on your knee joint, and about 9 extra pounds on your patella femoral joint (which you use going up and down stairs, standing up, and getting off the toilet).”
Think about it this way, if you’re 10 pounds overweight that’s 30 extra pounds of pressure on your hip joint. Also think about it in reverse, if you were to lose only 10 pounds you would release about 30 pounds of pressure off your joints. I can hear your joints breathing a big sigh of relief already.
Dr. Peyton comments, “Studies as far back as the 1940s directly correlate weight to arthritis.”
Wow! This really puts things into perspective regarding weight and joint pain/arthritis.
-- Now that I am nearly 30 pounds lighter from my all time high...I can definitely tell the difference on my joints. Another thing that has improved; my spinalcord. I used to have such horrid pain all the time. I think it was all the fat on front
-- I never want to go back. I can't believe why on earth I let myself get so unhealthy.
Thank you for posting this. A few months ago I started having knee pain for the first time in my life. I've lost 7 lbs and noticed a big improvement for such a small weight loss and now I know why. This info also helps me feel incentive to keep going with my weight loss, I have another reason now.
Thank you for posting this. I am living proof that this is true. When I started my plan on Feb 28, I had pain in my knees when going up and down stairs and I was walking with a slight limp, of unknown origin.
I have lost 23 lbs. and poof! no pain at all. I even forgot about it, until this posting reminded me. I think the pain disappeared at the 10% lost mark which was 21 lbs for me.
My surgeon told me this in 2002, right after cleaning up my knee. It stuck with me until my knees started acting up again and is what motivated me to finally get serious. thanks for the link
I can attest to this as well. My aching joints and constant soreness 220 lbs. had on my 5' frame was exhausting and demoralizing. I knew those pounds were preventing me from living the life I so desperately wanted; one of free and effortless movement. While I do have a couple of ongoing joint issues, they range from causing very little trouble to being non-existent. I was convinced that at 220 pounds I couldn't run, because I wasn't meant to be a runner and that there was no relationship between my weight and my pain. One day, out of the blue, and at 175 pounds, I just took off running with the only repercussions being a beet red, sweaty face and muscle soreness. I know for certain I could never have done it had I not lost weight first and relieved my joints of a significant amount of stress and pressure they were under. Being nearly pain free has been one of the most incredible NSVs I've enjoyed on this journey.
I'm only 24 and even I was starting to have problems in my joints and back. The only problem I've had with my back now is when I messed up a deadlift.
I remember being a size 18 and having back pain from standing all the time when I worked in retail. When I dropped down to a size 14/16, it was a little better for me, but my feet would still hurt after a while. Now I don't want to sit anymore! I can stand for hours with no problems
I have only lost a few pounds but my knees are really benefiting from my efforts. I have arthritis in all my joints and I work full time (I am a nurse). I agree with this information!!! It was one of my main motivations!
Here was a wake up call for me- I did the math. I have about 50 more lbs to lose- translating to taking 200 lbs off my knees. Wow! If I can achieve my goal, it might take care of my knee pain! That would be really exciting.
I've heard from multiple doctors anywhere from 3-10 lbs. I worked at a residential school for children/teens withe behavioral disorders. I worked on the special needs unit. There was a lot of physical management, and 5 years of slamming down on pavement, tile, etc on my knees.
I was 24 when my ortho told me I needed a new career or I wouldn't be walking at 30. He gave me a handicapped parking sticker, and that scared the life out of me.
Last summer, I faced my 3rd surgery in 10 years, and I heard my new doctor and his intern speaking out in the hallway while consulting the MRI of my knee. The intern thought the doctor was putting one over on him, as he didn't see how it was possible how someone my age had so much damage.
After getting this far in my weight loss, I am not as scared that I'm going to blow out my knee, but its still a regular fear. I don't know that I'll ever be able to return to softball, but I'm happy to take 200 lbs off my knees (according to the math) Only 260 more to go!
I had never heard of this and it certainly goes a long way to explaining why I am enjoying walking so much now and I can ride a bicycle again without any knee pain. Good informative post.
Every 1 lb lost takes 4 lbs of pressure off knees
One day, out of the blue, and at 175 pounds, I just took off running with the only repercussions being a beet red, sweaty face and muscle soreness.
I know for certain I could never have done it had I not lost weight first and relieved my joints of a significant amount of stress and pressure they were under. Being nearly pain free has been one of the most incredible NSVs I've enjoyed on this journey.
