Most overweight or obese patients never know the tremendous weight their knees are carrying until they experience knee pain. According to the CDC, around 23% of overweight and 31% of obese patients have doctor-diagnosed arthritis in the US.
As most of us are gaining pandemic weight, it is essential to learn how every additional pound in our body can affect and damage our knees.
The increased pressure on your knees
Every 10 pounds that we gain adds a whopping 15 to 50 pounds of pressure on our knees. On level ground, the force on your knee is 1.5 times your bodyweight since it serves as the shock absorber of your body as you stand or walk.
If you weigh 250 pounds, your knees are carrying about 375 pounds on every step you take. Not to mention the additional force your knees endure when you run, go up and down the stairs, or squat.
Development of knee osteoarthritis
According to this study, knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint pain in the US. It remains at the top of the list as obesity is on the rise today. Osteoarthritis develops when the cartilage that covers our knees starts to wear down.
Excess fat also produces proteins that worsen OA by promoting inflammation on your joints.
The double-edged impact of weight gain on knee pain
For obese and overweight patients with OA, shedding some pounds is beneficial for relieving knee pain and preventing further damage to the cartilage. However, it will also be painful and difficult to exercise due to the added stress on the knees.
Losing weight for people suffering from joint problems is like being in a vicious loop of pain. Due to the limitations on mobility, medical professionals are finding other medical interventions to treat knee pain, like stem cell therapy.
How does stem cell therapy work for knee pain?
Stem cell therapy is a non-surgical approach that allows your body to heal naturally. Stem cells help our bodies regenerate specialized cells. As for knee pain, the stem cells are injected into your damaged cartilage, allowing them to turn into bone cells or cartilage cells and repair your knees on their own.
The best benefits of stem cell therapy for overweight and obese patients suffering from osteoarthritis are as follows:
- Pain and inflammation relief
- No surgery and general anesthesia required
- Faster recovery time
- No risks associated with surgery
- Minimal risk for infection
- Fewer risks for side effects of steroids and prescription medications
- Possible prevention of knee replacement
At Stem Cell Carolina, the approach to stem cell therapy depends on the following factors:
- Age
- Stage of injury or degeneration
- Size of the joint
- Overall health condition
Gain your active life back with stem cell therapy in Charlotte, NC
Your life is waiting for you on the other side of pain. Let Stem Cell Carolina provide you with the best stem cell therapy in Charlotte, NC. Dr. Usman Ahmad aims to personally help you bring back the joy of walking, moving around, and even dancing without pain.
Get your first stem cell therapy consultation with us for FREE. We also offer free MRI readings here. You are only one step away from having your active life back. Contact us today.
Disclaimer: The claims made in this blog regarding the benefits of stem cell therapy have not been reviewed or approved by the FDA.
