Overweight and need knee replacements

[Guest Posts]

I have needed both knees replaced for over 15 years now. My bmi wasn’t good enough so over the years my weight has gone up/down. In that time, my feet,hips and back now play up. One local surgeon told me they could apply for funding provided I have done the Tier 1,2 or 3 weight loss programme which I have. I went to my GP 2 days ago to be referred back. My G.P. said I wasn’t to far off getting to a bmi of 40 and if I could get to 40 or below I would have a better chance. (they wouldn’t do it a number of years ago when my bmi was 36). So….except for losing weight…what else can I do to make surgery successful as an obese patient. I don’t smoke or drink and my blood pressure is fine. I take low dose asprin and a statin.
Thank you. Margaret

[Matthew Rogers]

The research suggests that even without surgery, body weight management (which you are trying) and strengthening the muscles in the front of the upper legs (thigh muscles) is very important. Using soft supportive footwear that can take the pressure off is also advised.

There is an exercises programme you might be interested to find out more about called ESCAPE-Pain which is specifically designed for people with long-term leg pain: http://www.escape-pain.org/

You can also find a very useful YouTube video on preparing for hip or knee surgery at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAL_TrQdtTY

[Wendy Green]

Hi Margaret,

I appreciate you might find it difficult to lose weight, but doing so will not only improve the outcomes of your knee surgery, but will also help reduce the amount of knee pain you experience.

Carrying extra weight puts additional strain on the joints - especially on the knees and hips. This is because when you walk, the load on the the knee joints is four times your body weight. So for every pound of weight you lose, there will be a four pound reduction in strain on your knees.

We all know what foods we should eat in order to lose weight, but some people find to difficult to stick to a healthy diet. Perhaps you would benefit from joining a slimming club such as Slimming World or Weight Watchers? It may be possible for your GP to refer you to one of these groups so that you can benefit from the extra support they offer.

As Matthew states above - exercise is also of great benefit - again not just prior to surgery, but also for a general reduction in pain. Walking is easy to fit in to your daily life and costs nothing. Regular walking will also help you manage your weight and get fitter too!

I hope this helps and good luck with your knee replacement surgery.

[Arthritis Action]

Studies show that losing just 10% of body weight can lead to an improvement in knee pain of 30% or more, which in many people means that surgery may not be needed at all or at least can be postponed. In other words, self-management really works for arthritis pain. Anyone with a BMI of over 30 can self-refer to either Slimming World or Weight Watchers for free for 12 weeks. If their programmes are followed, it is easily possible to lose up to 12kg in 12 weeks and this may well be enough to help your pain significantly in just 12 weeks. Increasing your weight in order to be eligible for surgery feels like illogical advice at best.

Email referral@weight-watchers.co.uk
https://www.slimmingworld.co.uk/health/ ... -swor.aspx

Dr Wendy Holden FRCP
Consultant Rheumatologist
Medical Advisor to Arthritis Action

Arthritis Action
56 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6AE

T: 020 3781 7120 W: www.arthritisACTION.org.uk