Osteoarthritis is a common joint disease with prominent symptoms in the hips, neck, knees, and back. While it’s unclear how increased BMI exacerbates hand osteoarthritis pain, being overweight can put the load on the joints. As a result, it increases the stress on the joints which may lead to the breakdown or damage of the cartilage.
For instance, when you perform an activity that shifts your body weight on the hands, it exerts a significant amount of pressure on the hands. Increased body weight can also increase this pressure on the joint that may exacerbate hand osteoarthritis in many cases.
Overweight or obesity is associated with a high rate of hand osteoarthritis. Some studies have shown that circulating systemic factors can also be the reason for the increased pressure.
Joint Pain and Increased Body Weight
Did you know increasing just 10 to 20 pounds weight can increase the force on your joints by 30 to 60 pounds?
That means if you’re 100 pounds, you’re putting 300 to 600 pounds of pressure on the joints. All this extra weight is not only damaging for the joints but also worsens stiffness and pain while accelerating the condition of disease.
It doesn’t end here as excess fat means increased inflammation. It is because when you have osteoarthritis, you already have high Cytokine levels. It may worsen inflammatory arthritis if it’s compounded by obesity.
A recent study published in Autoimmunity Reviews concluded that increased body mass leads to severe and active RA. Many patients with this condition are less likely to obtain sustained remission compared to people with a healthy BMI.
Some other studies have shown that many individuals with ankylosing spondylitis (inflammatory arthritis causing vertebrae infusion in the spine) experience worse symptoms such as intense physical function, and poor quality of life.
In addition, increased BMI may impact the effectiveness of arthritis medicines. Doctors or orthopedic surgeons often use some disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or DMARD to treat certain types of inflammatory arthritis. These meds might not be effective on people who are obese or overweight.
What is the Solution?
The solution to reducing the impact of weight on joints is to lose weight.
Losing pounds is the most effective and fastest way to improve the effects of disease-modifying drugs on osteoarthritis and the pain it causes.
Shedding pounds can precisely;
Reduces inflammation and joint pain in hands
Lowers the risk of comorbid condition
Improves joint function
Moreover, consulting qualified and competent orthopedic surgeons such as Dr. Hill can also help you find the best possible treatment approach for reducing the symptoms as well the hand pain.
Summing Up
All in all, osteoarthritis comes with mild to severe pain in the knees, neck, hips, and knees. Increased body mass is one of the primary reasons that can exacerbate hand osteoarthritis pain in patients. It is important to maintain your body weight to improve your condition and reduce pain. Call Dr.Hill and discuss how you can improve your condition if you have Osteoarthritis.
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