Why Extra Weight Is a Silent Enemy of Your Knee Cartilage
Your body weight always ends up on your knees. According to Dr. Amr Elyamany, excess weight is a silent destroyer of knee cartilage, and the load it adds is much larger than most people imagine.
The load is multiplied
Each extra kilogram above your ideal weight puts roughly four times that weight on every knee as you move. Ten extra kilograms can mean around 40 kg of added load on each knee, and 15 extra kilograms around 60 kg.
What that does over time
- Faster wear of the joint cartilage and earlier knee osteoarthritis
- A higher chance of sports and everyday injuries
- More risk of tendon and ligament tears
The good news
The effect works in reverse as well. Losing even a few kilograms takes a proportionally larger load off your knees, which is why a healthy weight is one of the best forms of protection against both sports injuries and arthritis.
Key takeaway: Your ideal weight is a form of knee protection: every kilogram you lose is several kilograms less on each knee.
When to see a doctor
- Knee pain that increases with walking, stairs or standing
- Swelling or stiffness in the knee, especially after rest
- A knee that gives way or feels unstable
Need advice about your own case? Book a consultation with Dr. Amr Elyamany in Dubai.
This article is for general education and does not replace an in-person medical examination. If you have symptoms, please consult a qualified doctor.