Life style vs replacement

[Polly159]

I'm new to this forum ' have had OA in rt knee esp for about 4 years. I am overweight and, because if work commitments and another health issue which leaves me little energy left sometimes after work, don't get as much exercise as I should. People see me hobbling along and are always advising an ok. I would still like to opt for lifestyle changes to help the OA. (health problem beginning to ease and I retire in 6 month) what are people's views on surgery vs lifestyle changes?

[cheritorrox]

Please join the low carb high (ie healthy) fat forum plus take a look at dietdoctor.com .... Carbohydrates stress all sorts of things in body and def don't help OA! You don't have to go "keto" but cutting back obvious sugar plus less obvious like rice spuds pasta and bread will help u lose weight, plus going for more veg and protein help support the muscles (won't repair the OA but it's certainly worked for me in past year to keep it at bay)

[Polly159 in reply to cheritorrox]

Many thanks, Cheritorrox. I have changed to mainly plant based with little/no bread etc. I suppose it will take time for the changes to take effect.

Thanks again

Polly

[cheritorrox in reply to Polly159]

I eat loads of meat but do try to keep up the veg too! I can't honestly say whether it helps the OA but something is keeping it at bay .... it should certainly help with weight which in turn will help everything else

[Polly159 in reply to cheritorrox]

Ah, the weight! A real struggle for me, especially since I also have atrial fibrillation which leaves me tired a lot of the time plus some of the medicine causes weight gain- not excuses, but not helpful either!

Take care Polly

[cheritorrox in reply to Polly159]

I agree with Hidden - As well as a look at lchf forum I highly recommend weightloss nhs - not for their eating guidelines but for the amazing (non judgemental) support there. It's a very active forum with lots going on - well worth joining in!

[Hidden]

You can lose weight with changing how you eat, exercise is not essential for it. But, exercise is a great thing to do. I have OA in feet and I run which makes them feel a lot better.

I would opt for lifestyle changes because it would benefit you in more ways than one.

There is a weight loss forum and healthy eating forum on here that you could join, they could probably help you on your way.

Good luck and take care.

[Osteopot]

Regarding surgery vs. lifestyle changes...I have OA in my hips (and the start in both knees as well), and I'm 40. My doc told me I'll have to have both hips replaced at some point, and when I told this to my BIL, he looked horrified, and told me to push it off as long as possible. I started reading about hip replacements and realized how intense they are, and that it's really tricky to have more than one over the course of a lifetime. In addition, how long does a replacement last? Well, that depends on how your body reacts to it, how you do in PT, what materials they use for the replacement (there were some hip replacements that were breaking off and pieces were floating around in peoples' bodies!! ack!), how much you exercise, etc. Long story short, I've realized I'd like to keep my original parts as long as possible, even if that means sometimes I walk with a really interesting limp, and sometimes my hip gets stuck, and sometimes it hurts like a bitch. It's the devil I know vs. the devil I don't, ya know?

And as far as weight goes, they do say that 80% of abs are made in the kitchen. Given your health issues, I'd see if your doc can get you with a nutritionist to see if they can help you evaluate your diet and maybe start to make some small changes. It's not easy - you end up totally overhauling everything, and you have to remember progress isn't linear - but it's worth it. Good luck. <3

[Polly159]

Many thanks, Osteopot - agree with what'd you say! Changing diet to more mediterranean/plant based (an loving it) Just need to exercise more.......

Thanks Take care Polly

[Osteopot in reply to Polly159]

If you have a physical therapist-type person you can see that specializes in arthritis, I would definitely recommend that for exercises. Mine was *fantastic*, and gave me strengthening exercises that have made a huge difference in terms of pain, as well as stretching that have helped maintain some of my mobility (albeit nothing can get back what I've lost, but at least I still have some internal rotation on one leg!)

[tselph]

Good for you for reaching out on this sensitive subject. I just lost 12 pounds on the Keto diet. I’ve found it to be easy to maintain because there are so many recipes on Pinterest for it. My son is on it & lost 30 lbs. I had been on WW for years & gave up on it. Between prednisone & other meds that I’ve been on in the past along with OA, I’ve been inactive & not in pain, too. It’s hard to get motivated. So don’t give up. I’ve had my low back fused & my right hip replaced & both my knees hurt. They say the best thing for OA is to keep moving.

[Polly159]

Ah, tselph - motivation! You're right, it's the hardest thing, but, I feel probably the most important - getting motivated and staying motivated. For me, sometimes it's the 'stick' - the negative effects and obvious health risks of being overweight and sometimes it's the 'carrot' (quite literally!) Of really enjoying a more plant based diet and feeling the better of exercise. Diet is now, I feel, established (With a few lapses!), but the exercise has been difficult as medicine for Atrial Fibrillation as well as the aftermath of the episodes themselves, left me worn out a lot of the time with just enough energy to get through work.

I remember when living in France, many companies gave their employees a week or two's paid 'rest cures' in the Pyrenees or similar if they had been ill. I sometimes think if our employers (or government?) here did something similar- giving folk who really struggle with weight etc some breathing space to get diet and exercise routines up and running it would help all concerned.

Take care Polly