Joint Pain After Bariatric Surgery: What the Studies Show

Many people who are overweight or obese suffer from health complications, including a high instance of obesity-related joint pain. The joint is a hinge that, when operating properly, moves to allow for walking or bending. Over time, the fluid, tissues, and ligaments located in the joint begin to wear down, and as that occurs, the nerves in this area can also wear down, causing bone-on-bone movement.

Understanding how being overweight or obese can cause joint pain like this is critical to getting help as soon as possible.

How Obesity Affects Your Bones and Joints

Being obese can impact various organs and structures in the body, including the joints. Numerous studies have linked obesity to joint pain and malfunction.

In a study reported by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, researchers found obesity contributes to damage to the soft tissues as well as the wearing of the joints themselves. Hip and knee pain tend to be the most common.

In fact, that study found that every pound of body weight places 6 pounds of pressure on the knee joint. Those who are overweight experience as much as 20 times more joint pressure and pain. That leads to a much higher number of people seeking hip or knee replacement surgery.

Studies continue to show that weight loss and exercise contribute to a reduction of pain and dysfunction in the joints, including one study reported by the JAMA Network.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a condition that develops in the joints over a period of time. It causes stiffness, limited movement, and swelling. Osteoarthritis can impact any of the joints, including the spine, hips, knees, and hands, as the cartilage in these areas breaks down over time. As a degenerative disease that worsens over time, this condition can make it hard for people to walk or engage in life the way they desire.

For people who are obese, it becomes critical to seek out aggressive weight loss strategies to help provide relief to the joints throughout the body.

How Bariatric Surgery Helps

Bariatric surgery is a method for supporting weight loss in patients who suffer from obesity or severe obesity. It alters the function of the digestive system, reducing the amount of food consumed and the number of calories absorbed by the person. The results from bariatric surgery are quite impressive, which is why hundreds of thousands undergo bariatric surgery yearly.

For example, in one study, there was a direct indication that the majority of people who had undergone bariatric surgery saw a significant reduction in knee pain and limited mobility as they lost weight. They were more likely to be physically active as well.

Another study published by a Brazilian hospital found that those who have bariatric surgery are more likely to be physically engaged in activities and feel far less pain than those who do not get help to lose weight.

While obesity increases hip and joint pain and dysfunction, there is clear evidence to suggest that bariatric surgery can help people reduce their weight quickly through aggressive measures and often helps reduce pain, improve mobility, and provide people with a better quality of life. Patients who have the surgery are more likely to be active as well, which may mean they are more likely to lose weight and keep it off.

There is no clearer statement about the effectiveness of this than a report from the JAMA Network that found that 65 to 72 percent of people who have osteoarthritis suffered from being obese, and about 41% of those who underwent bariatric surgery saw a reduction in their pain and joint limitations.

The direct indication here is that as a person gains weight, more pressure is put on the joints that must be able to move in an effective manner. Losing weight causes less pain and improves mobility. Bariatric surgery is beneficial in these situations because it provides a significant amount of weight loss and helps patients receive care faster.