Do you feel hip pain climbing stairs or during everyday activities? Your hips bear much of the body’s weight, especially when carrying extra pounds, which adds significant stress to these vital joints. Recognizing how excess weight impacts your hip health empowers you to take proactive steps to protect your hip joints, and lowers the risk of future issues.
Increased Pressure on Hip Joints
According to research, each extra pound of body weight adds approximately 2.5 pounds of pressure on your hip joints when walking, and when running the pressure increases up to 8 pounds.1 Over time, this added stress can lead to joint wear and tear, making it harder for your hips to function smoothly. For individuals carrying excess weight, this strain accelerates the breakdown of cartilage, the cushion that protects your hip bones from rubbing together.
Higher Risk of Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is often linked to excess weight. The constant stress on your hips due to additional weight can speed up the degenerative process, wearing down the cartilage more quickly. As the cartilage erodes, bones start to grind against each other, leading to pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility. Being overweight or obese significantly increases your risk of developing hip osteoarthritis at a younger age.
Altered Gait and Posture
Carrying extra weight can also affect your gait (the way you walk) and posture, putting even more strain on your hips. To compensate for the added weight, many people adopt a posture that puts uneven pressure on the joints, leading to misalignment over time. This altered gait increases the risk of hip injuries and exacerbates joint issues, further contributing to long-term discomfort which would ultimately require hip replacement.
Protect Your Hips by Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight reduces the strain on your hip joints, lowers your risk of osteoarthritis, and promotes better posture and mobility. Develop a personalized weight management plan and protect your hips for the long run.
The OrthoHealth Wellness and Weight Management Program at IBJI can personalize your weight management plan, taking your current fitness level and medical conditions into consideration. Our individualized plans increase your energy, strength, and metabolism to help you lose weight.
Integrate Exercise, Nutrition and Wellness into your Routine
Maximize your health and fitness to reach your greatest potential and maintain healthy hip joints for years to come. The Health Performance Institute can help you achieve this to reduce strain on your hips and improve the quality of your life.
Our individualized approach includes access to beneficial treatments and services often overlooked in orthopedic care. The wellness services at IBJI help each patient go beyond the doctor’s office in their journey to recovery.
Our OrthoHealth team of providers, including a physician, health coach, physical therapist, and registered dietitian, works together to support your hip joint health with a tailored nutrition plan. This comprehensive approach combines the power of personalized nutrition, movement, and medical insights, helping you reach your health goals effectively.
If you’re experiencing hip pain when climbing stairs or performing daily activities, it’s essential to consider how lifestyle factors like weight, exercise, and wellness impact your hip joint health. Excess weight places additional strain on your hips, increasing discomfort and potentially accelerating joint wear. Managing hip arthritis or postponing the need for hip replacement often starts with a proactive approach to reduce stress on your hips. Through mindful nutrition, targeted exercise, and comprehensive wellness, you can relieve pressure on your joints, preserve mobility, and delay the need for more invasive procedures. And if hip replacement becomes necessary, a foundation of strong, healthy habits will aid in your recovery and support long-term joint health.
AUTHOR: Mark Hamming, MD is a board certified fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon at Illinois Bone & Joint Institute specializing in sports medicine and joint replacement.
1. https://hipandkneebook.com/tha-chapters/2017/3/1/basic-hip-n
