weight loss may be one of the most effective things you can do on your own to improve symptoms of knee oa (osteoarthritis). extra weight causes extra pressure on your knee which can add to pain. as part of a long-term study of the effects of diet and exercise on knee oa researchers at wake forest university found that an average weight loss of 5% in overweight and obese older patients brought an 18% gain their ability to move. weight loss can also improve your chances of surgical success if you do wind up needing knee replacement.
how can weight loss help improve osteoarthritis?