Weight loss with advanced osteoarthritis in knee.

betzkate

Are there any people with success stories of losing weight and regaining mobility with advanced arthritis in knees. I just saw a surgeon and was told I was untreatable. I feel hopeless

neanderthin

Well, that advice was ridiculous and not scientific and of course people have improved with different interventions. Inflammation is at the centre for most arthritic problems and weight loss of about 10% or greater shows pretty decent improvement and mobility. The weight loss facilitates better insulin sensitivity which results in lowering inflammation in our body, so in my mind it makes perfect sense, but VLCD also show in isocaloric conditions to lower inflammation as well, so there might be an additional advantage there, but speak to your Dr. but not that one lol.

https://sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1063458421000078

https://sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1063458404002031

https://sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1043466615001003

kosseychick

I have severe osteoarthritis in my knee and I managed to lose 35 lbs thru diet. I also go to the pool several days a week. Easy on the joints.. motion is lotion afterall.

Sinisterbarbie1

You can lose weight without exercising at all, by simply reducing your calorie intake. That is in fact where most weight loss comes from. I gained significant weigh while bedridden and not able to walk at all and lost it (and more) with significant arthritis and other mobility issues - mostly through calorie reduction, supplemented by low impact activities like pool based exercises, tai chi, walking. The exercise I do is for the mental health/me time benefits it provides.

ninerbuff

Does stationary biking or rowing bother your knee?

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

kshama2001

My official knee diagnoses is "pain with activity"

I've done lots of trial and error to see what I can and cannot do, and always wear good shoes (Asics gel) while doing it.

In your case, I would consult with a physical therapist and forget that surgeon.

Injured paratrooper veteran Arthur was told he would never walk unassisted again and proved them wrong:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIXOo8D9Qsc

AnnPT77

I have OA, but probably not what one would call advanced (?), plus at least one torn meniscus.

I was able to improve my fitness by cautiously experimenting with activities to find some that don't make the underlying conditions worse, though some admittedly have been uncomfortable while I was doing them.

I'd guess that what a person could safely do - if anything - would be individual. For me, rowing and cycling - straight line hinge movements - are OK. Impact and torque aren't, so I don't run, play fast break games, do aerobic dance things, or even walk large amounts purely for exercise. I can swim and do some weight lifting, too, but not all lift types.

Along the way, physical therapy was a help.

For sure, weight loss for me was about managing my eating. I didn't much change activity to lose weight, just controlled my calorie intake.

Losing from obese to a healthy weight made a very substantial reduction in both frequency and severity of pain and discomfort. There was steady improvement as I got lighter, too - didn't have to wait until goal weight for some benefits.

I think Neanderthin has a point about the role of inflammation, too.

33gail33

I have advanced osteoarthritis in my knees. I am still working on the weight loss part of it, but did regain mobility in my bad knee last year with this physiotherapy program:

https://gladinternational.org/glad-hip-and-knee/

Here is the thread I made from last year that talks about it:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10846259/gla-d-program-for-knee-arthritis/p1

Now I am struggling with my "good" knee (osteoarthritis flare up, torn MCL and miniscus) so will be back at this shortly, and working on finally losing the weight.

betzkate

Thanks for sharing. When I started my health journey I also started an anti-inflammatory diet. I think there was some improvement from that. I had hoped the ortho would have been able to give a shot to help manage pain until I lost more weight. 70lb loss total so far.
But she basically said there was a lot of bone spurs from repetitive falls when i was very sick in my 30s. Now that Im not sick I puy a lot of pressure on myself that i would get my life back.
It does make me feel better that you were kind enough to respond and give me hope.

sandramarshall200

Hi. Would you not be suitable for knee replacement?
Thanks so much for raising the issue. Lots of good advice here for others in a similar position. I have severe arthritis in one hip, waiting for a replacement. I’m very limited in activity. I swim once a week, and I’m now trying to up that, but I have to be really careful or I hurt for 2 days. I can’t walk for more than 5 minutes at a time.
I have to lose weight for the surgery, down 15 pounds so far and it’s already helped a bit. I’ve really cut back on sugars and alcohol. I know that getting from obese to a healthy weight is the best thing I can do for myself.

406MamaBear

OP, you’ve got some good advice above. I also have OA, torn MCL, & torn meniscus. My weight loss has definitely helped my joints, and finding a good physical therapist has been key. I’m learning better form in every day activities and while I’m gaining strength, I’m experimenting with different activities. Cycling is great, walking is fine, yoga is good as long as I don’t push myself in positions that put direct pressure on my knee. It may be very individual to you, but with a good PT you can make improvements and have success. Others have mentioned swimming, too. It may feel frustrating right now, but it’s okay to start with baby steps. Keep experimenting to see what helps you!

CoronerJeans

betzkate wrote: »

Are there any people with success stories of losing weight and regaining mobility with advanced arthritis in knees. I just saw a surgeon and was told I was untreatable. I feel hopeless

I’m happy to meet you. I have OA in my knees and back. I can empathize!

susiemcmac

I have OA in both knees and am a candidate for knee replacements. I'm on my journey to lose weight so the surgery has better outcomes. Couldn't your doctor at least do a scope of your knee to remove some of the bone spurs? I had that about 5 years ago and it made a world of difference. They do grow back but can alleviate some pain in the meantime.

plattef71

I have OA in my knee following surgery, cervical and lumbar spine and both hips (2 hip reconstructions). I recently last year ruptured and tore my Achilles as well and am 4 months post-op. At the start of my recovery I was having intense pain in the ankle and it wasn't healing. As soon as I started watching my food and doing light exercise and stretching it started to heal rapidly. The doctor told me that whatever I was eating was likely causing inflammation. I still have pain most days but if I keep moving it tends to be lessened. I gained most of my weight after the rupture last Oct and have been busting butt to lose it again. It will be slow, somedays you may not feel great but don't stop because of it ! I started at 192 and weighed this morning at 164 after 3 months.