When we think of the health risks of obesity, we tend to head straight for heart disease and diabetes. And for good reason—the incidents of these serious conditions have been climbing dramatically along with growing obesity rates worldwide. But carrying around extra weight can also have severe consequences for the rest of your body, especially your joints.
In fact, expanding obesity rates are actually driving growth in the Global Joint Reconstruction Market, which is growing at a CAGR of 5.55 percent from 2014-2019.
High Prevalence of Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) has become the most common joint problem in western countries, increasing in tandem with skyrocketing obesity. In the US, about 70 percent of adults aged between 55 and 78 suffer from the disease, which is expected to increase during the forecast period.
According to a recent article on the Arthritis Foundation’s website, there are four pounds of pressure exerted on the knees for every extra pound of weight a person carries around.
“So a person who is 10 pounds overweight has 40 pounds of extra pressure on his knees; if a person is 100 pounds overweight, that is 400 pounds of extra pressure on his knees,” writes Andrea Kane.
She goes on to quote Dr. Eric Matteson, MD and chair of the rheumatology division at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
“So if you think about all the steps you take in a day, you can see why it would lead to premature damage in weight-bearing joints.”
The Obesity Action Coalition paints a similarly pessimistic picture, pointing out that when joints are damaged, it can make even everyday activities painful and difficult.
“In the United States alone, more than 27 million adults have a diagnosis of OA…The percentage of arthritis cases linked directly to obesity has risen from 3 percent in 1971 to 18 percent in 2002. A person with obesity is around 60 percent more likely to develop arthritis than someone of normal body weight.”
Complication still a Serious Risk, Despite Surgical Advances
In some serious cases, surgery and joint reconstruction is the only option for those with obesity-related joint damage. Luckily, advances in surgical technology are making joint reconstruction more accessible than ever. Minimally invasive surgical procedures have revolutionized the field by limiting large incisions, and thus reducing hospital stay for patients.
However, post-surgery complications are still a serious risk, and a major barrier to more aggressive market growth.
Studies have found that even a small amount of weight loss can lead to large improvements in osteoarthritis symptoms, which is leading governments and healthcare professionals alike to launch initiatives to try and get people to obtain and maintain a healthy bodyweight. But exploding obesity rates belie any efforts to curb the health hazards of excess weight, which will ultimately result in growth in the Global Joint Reconstruction Market through the projected period.
