While discussing the impact of obesity, we frequently hear about cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. However, obesity issues could also take a hefty toll on your musculoskeletal system. It places enormous strain and mechanical stress on your bones and joints and hence develops some debilitating muscular issues.
Scroll down and learn more about the impact of obesity on the musculoskeletal system in your body.
Impact of Obesity on the Hips
The impact of obesity is particularly felt in your hip joints. As the stress on hip joints increases, it becomes more damaged. You feel severe stiffness and pain in the joint. Consequently, there is swelling in your hip joints.
Excess load on these joints can also diminish the functionality of tendons, which serve as a connection between your bones and muscles. Inflamed and damaged tendons could also cause tendinitis.
In severe cases of inflammation, you might also develop hip osteoarthritis. Sometimes, you have to opt for joint replacement surgery to relieve yourself from intense pain and discomfort.
Impact of Obesity on the Knees
Being obese can stimulate and aggravate your knee pain. You will probably be surprised to discover that the weight on your knee joints is equal to four times your body weight. For instance, if you weigh 160 pounds, your knees bear a load of 640 pounds. The force of weight and pressure increases when you are standing up, walking, climbing stairs or bending to pick up something from the floor.
The impact of obesity on the knees can also be observed in the form of joint inflammation and osteoarthritis. Both these conditions are triggered due to presence of fat cells which intensifies inflammation and joint deterioration in the weight-bearing knee joints.
Besides this, another prevalent impact of obesity in the knees is rheumatoid arthritis. It activates our immune system to attack various bones and joints in our body, which also includes the knee joints.
Impact of Obesity on the Lower Back
Obesity can strain your lower back area and intensify symptoms like pain, swelling, and tightness. Extra load in the midsection of your back can also tilt your spinal cord which becomes uneven. When the spine doesn’t remain in its even position, more issues are observed. The back muscles have to do extra work which develops lower back pain.
Obesity could also exacerbate chronic inflammation, herniated discs, and osteoarthritis which makes it difficult for you to carry out your normal day-to-day activities.
In worst cases, the impact of obesity will not only impact your muscular functionality but also reduce the possibility of successful treatment.
Final Thoughts
All in all, the impact of obesity can lead to potential issues in your hips, knees, and lower back area. It is an exacerbating factor for multiple health risks. While shedding weight is an excellent solution, in the meantime, pain management techniques can come to your rescue.
Genesis pain management offers top-quality interventional pain management to restore the functionality of your musculoskeletal system. Contact us today to book your appointment!