Knee surgery recovery depends on many things. Obesity can affect your knee rehabilitation as shown in this article.

The solution to people with knee problems can be a mix of medication and proper diet. For more serious cases, knee surgery may become inevitable. This means that the entire knee will have to be replaced with an artificial joint so that they can walk again without pain. Unfortunately, it may be more difficult for people who are considered to be obese to enjoy the long-term effects of surgery. There are even experts that say obesity and knee replacement do not particularly mix well.

Why Knee Replacement Is Important

The joints that make up our knees are cushioned and protected by a material called cartilage. It is the same organic material our ears are made of. Factors such as too much fast food and sports like running or basketball can contribute to the reduction of cartilage in the knee. The problem results to the joints not moving properly and excruciating pain.

Obesity can even play a part in the degradation of the knee. As mentioned above, certain foods that cause obesity in general can also affect the cartilage. Furthermore, the knee of an obese person is under more weight and pressure compared to a healthier individual, increasing the possibilities of osteoarthritis.

How Can Obesity Affect Knee Replacement?

Arthroplasty or knee replacement is considered a major surgery. Hence, there are several tests that patients are required to take to make sure that they fit to be on the operation table. These tests include a blood-clotting test and electrocardiogram or ECG, among others. These tests may reveal other conditions that may affect the success of the operation .

This is where obese patients usually have a problem. Due to their weight condition, it is more likely that they also have high blood pressure and heart ailments. This means doctors will have to take extra precaution during the actual surgery. It is even possible that surgery will not be an option once obese patients have been found to have other medical problems.

Issues after the Knee Surgery

Even if the surgery becomes successful, obesity can still become a major hurdle during the recovery period. The existing conditions of the patient may delay the complete healing of the wounds and how the artificial knee adapts to the leg. Most importantly, physical rehabilitation may be longer for people who are weight challenged.

It will actually take more time for them to get back the strength of the muscles and bones. Because of their weight, they are mostly likely to be given continuous passive motion or CPM treatments, so they and their artificial knees can start physical exercises without so much strain.

Aside from the long recovery, certain studies have shown that 1 out of 10 obese people who had arthroplasty found that the surgery was not successful after five or six years. This is because the additional weight caused more stress on the artificial joint. This caused the joints to develop stiffness or malfunction altogether. This is a stark contrast to the 100 percent success rates of knee surgery on people who are not obese.

A strict doctor ordered rehabilitation always follows knee replacement surgery. Unfortunately, this rehab is only enough to give you some mobility and get back part of your life. They don’t expect people with knee replacements to have the full abilities like they once did, so they don’t even try. With the right exercise and routines, though, you can have that life back, despite what the doctors tell you. Take the time to learn about rehabilitation from knee replacement surgery, and how you can ease your fear of living a sedentary life by taking action.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jerry_Seaman

How can obesity impact a persons health?

However, this is one of the very minor problems of obesity. Excessive weight bearing on the knee and ankle joints is a major cause of the wear and tear that occurs in joints.

Weight Loss Forum-Obesity

I developed horrible arthritic pain in my joints, and due to the medication I was taking and my metabolism basically crashing to hell, I gained nearly 100 lbs back.

How will Obesity Affect You and What Can You Do?

Extra weight will take a toll on your joints. Obesity has also been linked to gout, which is when uric acid that cannot be excreted collects in the joints of the toes. 

  

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To prevent complications of post operative knee surgery it is important to get the knee working as soon as practical and so rehabilitation after arthroscopic knee surgery is a citical step in recovery . This article examines exercises that can be used in arthroscopy knee surgery recovery.

Following arthroscopic knee surgery, it is imperative that you start knee exercises immediately.  The aim of the exercises is to not only restore strength to the knee joint but to also help restore a full range of motion to the knee.

Listed below are four knee rehabilitation exercises that you can start with.  These are non-weight bearing exercises and will assist in restoring the range of motion to the knee as well as gently strengthening the muscles around the knee.

Remember, however,  that any exercise regimen should first of all be discussed with your orthopedic surgeon before commencement.  It is most likely that you will be given similar exercises by your surgeon.  An early start to exercising is usually recommended by most surgeons but some may suggest waiting a few days after the knee surgery before commencing an exercise routine.

In the early stages following your knee arthroscopy surgery you may feel some discomfort in the knee joint and possibly some swelling.   This isn’t unusual and antiflammatory medication is usually prescribed to help relieve these symptoms.

When doing these exercises you should not experience any pain.  If you do then you should cease them immediately and rest the knee joint.  You may, however, feel a gentle stretching sensation when you first begin but should not feel any real pain.  Afterwards it is good practice to elevate your leg and apply ice to help reduce any swelling that may occur.

Here are the four exercises that can be used, subject to confirmation by your orthopaedic surgeon, immediately after your knee arthroscopy.  When doing these exercises it is important that the motion be gentle and steady and not jerky. Over-stretching must be avoided.

The first exercise stretches the quadriceps:

• Lay on your back on a flat surface. Put a rolled up towel beneath your ankle. Now push your ankle down into the towel. You will notice that your knee will tend to straighten.  Try to straighten the knee as much as you can.  Hold the position for about five seconds. Then relax for a few seconds and repeat the exercise 9 times (ten in total).  Remember to keep all motion smooth.

The second exercise – Straight Leg Raises:

• Again, lay on your back on a flat surface. Straighten the leg that was operated on and keep it straight while bending your other leg to about an angle of 90 degrees so that the foot is flat on the floor. Contract the front thigh muscles and slowly raise the operated on leg about six inches (15 centimetres) off the floor. Hold this position for about 5 seconds and then lower your leg. Rest for a few seconds and then repeat the exercise another 9 times. Remember to keep the knee straight at all times.

The third exercise is for the hamstrings – Hamstring Contractions:

• Lie on your back and bend both knees to 10 to 15 degree angle. While keeping your legs still, pull your heel into the floor causing the muscles on the back of your thigh to contract. Again, hold this position for about five seconds and then rest for a few seconds before repeating.  Do this exercise 10 times.

 The fourth exercise involves the gluteal muscles.  These are the three muscles that comprise the buttocks:

• Lie on your back and bend your knees to a 10 to 15 degree angle. Now squeeze your buttock muscles together and hold for a count of 5. Rest for a few seconds and then repeat for a total of 10 sets

By following this exercise regimen you should prevent any complications of post operative knee surgery.

Arthritis Knee Exercises Strengthen the Muscles That Support the Knee

Arthritis knee exercises are very important if one is experiencing arthritis in the knee joints. Exercise is one way to maintain a strong and healthy cartilage as it has the effect of strengthening the tendons and muscles that support the knee.

Knee Exercises

Knee health is critical and will have a profound impact on your daily life. Do you find yourself struggling to run, bend your knees or getting out of your seat.

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