The relationship between osteoarthritis<\/a> and being overweight is now clearly established. Osteoarthritis is a disease characterized by a progressive degradation of cartilage<\/a> joint. Excess weight, meanwhile, increases the mechanical stress exerted on the joints and promotes certain inflammatory phenomena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a long time, it was thought that the impact of weight was purely mechanical. In reality, research shows that the link between osteoarthritis and excess weight is more complex. Excess fatty tissue directly influences the body's functions and can contribute to the onset or worsening of osteoarthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is why weight control is now considered one of the most important elements in the prevention and management of osteoarthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n With each step, the joints support several times the body's weight. At the knee, the stresses exerted during walking can represent up to three to five times the body weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This means that a few extra kilos <\/strong>can have a considerable impact on the joints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example :<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n This overload largely explains why osteoarthritis and being overweight are frequently associated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n All joints can be affected, but some are particularly vulnerable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The knee is the joint most affected by the link between osteoarthritis and excess weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Excess weight increases stress on cartilage and promotes the development of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is one of the reasons why knee osteoarthritis is particularly common in overweight people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The hip also bears a large part of the body's weight. Prolonged overloading can accelerate joint wear and tear and promote the development of hip osteoarthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Patients often describe:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even some joints less directly subjected to weight, such as the hands, seem to be more frequently affected in people with excess body fat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This suggests that the link between osteoarthritis and being overweight cannot be explained solely by mechanics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, specialists know that fatty tissue is not simply an energy reserve. It also produces inflammatory substances that circulate in the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This low-grade inflammation can contribute to cartilage degradation and promote the progression of osteoarthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is one of the reasons why osteoarthritis and excess weight are associated even in joints that bear little of the body's weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Excess weight therefore has a dual effect:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n When osteoarthritis begins to set in, the symptoms are often progressive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most frequent signs are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n These symptoms should prompt a consultation, especially when they gradually worsen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Weight loss is one of the most effective measures to reduce symptoms related to osteoarthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even moderate weight loss can have significant effects:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Numerous studies show that a decrease in body weight significantly improves the quality of life of patients suffering from osteoarthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is estimated that each kilogram lost reduces the pressure exerted on the knee by 3 to 4 kilograms with each step. Over a full day of walking, the cumulative effect is considerable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The relationship between weight and osteoarthritis is bidirectional: pain limits movement, which promotes weight gain, which in turn worsens the pain. Breaking this vicious cycle is one of the central goals of treatment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nWhy does being overweight put more strain on the joints?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Which joints are most affected?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The knee<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The hip<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The other joints<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The role of inflammation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What are the first signs to watch for?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Can losing weight really help?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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