Why Women Are Walking Into An Obesity Crisis With Weak Knees?

Obesity is widely known as a cause of long-term health disorders like diabetes and heart disease, but its unnoticed effect on joint health—specifically the knees—is less recognized. Research indicates that women specifically are experiencing a growing load of knee-related complications as a result of being overweight. This prompts a important question: Are female joints at a disadvantage, or has the modern lifestyle simply caught up with the body's capacity to respond?

The relationship between weight and knee pain is obvious and undeniable. Being overweight stresses the weight-carrying joints such as knees, hips, and spine intensely. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health explains that almost 33% of all joint replacement operations have an obese patient.

When a person is standing or walking, the pressure on their knees is almost four times their body weight. For instance, a 150-pound person puts 600 pounds of pressure on their knees with every step. Climbing stairs, squatting, or running further intensifies this pressure, speeding up joint deterioration and elevating the risk of osteoarthritis.

For women, the issue is exacerbated by differences in anatomy. Women have a wider pelvis, which impacts the alignment of the tibia and femur, putting further stress on the knee joint. This, along with less muscle mass than men, predisposes them to issues like patellofemoral pain syndrome and osteoarthritis.

So, are women's knees evolutionarily handicapped to deal with excess weight, or did the obesity crisis just outgrow our body's ability to catch up? We talked to Dr. Ramkinkar Jha, Orthopaedic Surgery and Chief and Unit Head - Orthopaedics to get some answers and also how knee pain could affect you.

High Heels, Poor Footwear and Lifestyle Choices

Obesity is a large factor, yet lifestyle factors are also responsible for weaker knees among women. Research by the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists discovered that 25% of women regularly wear high heels. This footwear preference can change body posture and cause additional pressure to be put on the knees, causing damage to the joints with time.

In addition, the survey also pointed out that 77% of men and women do not use the right footwear for sports activities. Using the wrong shoes can cause joint strain and a higher risk of injury, speeding up the onset of musculoskeletal conditions.

Dr. Ramkinkar, stresses that bone strength is frequently compromised unbeknownst to people. Causes such as being inactive, too much caffeine, and inadequate diet lead to joint degeneration. Women are particularly under a dual burden due to hormonal changes affecting bone and cartilage health as well.

Is the 'Knee Gap' Real?

More often than not, I've wondered do women get equally as much medical treatment and attention for knee conditions as men do, or do orthopedics practice gender-based medicine as well? Well apparently so, even with severe knee pain, says experts, are women ignored for orthopedic treatments. The 'knee gap'—a term used to denote differences in medical treatment between women and men—implies that women might not always get the same level of attention for knee problems. Research has shown that women are less likely to be advised for knee replacement surgeries than men, even when they report the same pain levels and degree of symptoms. This is problematic in terms of gender bias in orthopedic treatment.

Furthermore, women's symptoms are often relegated to being age-related or milder, causing delays in treatment and diagnosis. To address this, there is a need for increased awareness, equal healthcare policies, and more individualized orthopedic care that takes into account gender-related anatomical and hormonal differences.

How Women Can Strengthen Their Knees and Prevent Joint Damage

With lifestyle and obesity contributing to speeding up knee issues, preventive actions can assist women in keeping their joints healthy and mobile. The following are some key strategies:

1. Emphasize Joint-Friendly Exercise

Swimming, cycling, and strength training are low-impact exercises that can improve knee stability and decrease stress. Regular exercise is crucial to maintain weight and avoid undue stress on the joints.

2. Emphasize Nutrition for Bone and Joint Health

A diet that is well-balanced, high in calcium, vitamin D, and protein is important to ensure strong cartilage and bones. Leafy vegetables, dairy foods, nuts, and fortified foods can be used to satisfy daily nutrient intake.

3. Wear the Correct Footwear

Steering clear of high heels and wearing properly cushioned, supportive shoes can ensure even distribution of weight and minimize pressure on the knees. Wearing exercise-specific shoes during exercise can also avoid injuries.

4. Live a Healthy Lifestyle

Elevation of excessive consumption of caffeine and alcohol, being well-hydrated, and performing weight-bearing activities will aid in sustaining long-term joint health. Optimal lifestyle helps avoid premature degradation of cartilage and maintains knee strength for decades to come.

Women's health are subjected to greater stress levels because of obesity, anatomical variations, and lifestyle. Even though biology also plays a factor, contemporary-day lifestyles and differences in healthcare only add to the issue.

Dr. Ramkinkar Jha is an Orthopaedic Surgery and Chief and Unit Head - Orthopaedics (Unit III) at Artemis Hospitals in India