314. Even a small amount of extra weight can damage your knees
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
Osteoarthritis affects over 32 million adults in this country. A new study suggests that gaining even a small amount of weight significantly worsens arthritis of the knees. In the study, presented at the International Congress on Obesity, Australian researchers reviewed the data for over 250,000 patients. They found that an increase of just 11 pounds increased the chance of needing a knee replacement 34 percent for women and 25 percent for men. Pain and other arthritis symptoms became more severe as they gained weight, and their x-ray signs of arthritis worsened. Doing what you can to maintain a healthy weight appears to be a great way to avoid joint replacements down the road.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
