RELATIONSHIP OF OBESITY WITH JOINT PAIN AND KNEE ARTHRITIS.

In obese patients, osteoarthritis is the major cause of pain, decrease joint mobility and poor quality of life which develops slowly over the period of time. The most noticeable effect of obesity on the musculoskeletal system is associated with joint disease commonly known as Osteoarthritis. The pathology of osteoarthritis is related to increase joint loading and irregular biomechanics with some hormonal dysregulation. A Canadian prospective observational study of 520 primary joint arthroplasties evaluating the effects of obesity on patterns of recovery from total knee and hip arthroplasty found that severe obesity is an independent risk factor for slow recovery over three years for both total knee and total hip arthroplasty. In this study, baseline pain and functional scores were similar regardless of BMI classification. Severe obesity was a significant risk factor for worse pain and functional recovery at six months but no longer at three years following total hip and knee arthroplasty