The risk of severe Arthritis of the knees linked to Obesity may cause just as much harm on the hips, but men may be the only gender at risk.
Among the nearly 2,600 aged Icelandic adults studied, being overweight or obese caused a significant increase in total knee replacement surgeries. Of the participants studied, women as well as men showed the same level of increased risk.
Total hip replacement, however, was more likely to happen in the obese men of the group as opposed to the women in the group. The body weight of the women studied was not a factor nor did it increase the risk of total hip replacement.
Researchers noted that studies linking body weight to knee replacement surgery risk are plentiful. The weight of the body in both men and women seems to correlate directly with an increased risk of knee injuries and surgeries.
At the conclusion of the study, women who were deemed overweight had an increased risk of total knee replacement of 60% over their thinner counterparts. Obese women showed even higher risks than the overweight group.
Men in the study who were overweight were 70% more likely to have a knee replacement surgery with yet another significant increase for those deemed obese.
Hip replacements, on the other hand, are a totally different story. The obese men of the group showed an increased risk of hip replacement by 70%. Obese women, however, showed no increased risk of hip replacement nor did the women falling into the category of overweight.
Researchers noted the anatomical difference between men and women may play some part in the increased risk of hip replacement related to weight in men.
