Can I have cartilage restoration if I am overweight?

Why weight matters for a repair

During walking the knee carries several times your body weight, and more on stairs and when squatting. A newly repaired area is softer than mature cartilage for many months, so higher loads make it harder for the repair to settle. Excess weight is also linked to low-grade inflammation in the joint and makes the protected crutch phase physically harder.

How the decision is made

• The size and location of the defect, since a small defect may be managed differently from a large one
• Your age, activity goals and how much the knee limits you now
• Leg alignment, because an osteotomy that shifts load away from the damaged side may be especially helpful
• Other health conditions such as diabetes, which affect anaesthesia, wound healing and recovery
• Whether you can realistically follow the rehabilitation programme

What helps before surgery

Even a modest weight loss often reduces knee pain and lowers load on the joint. Low-impact exercise such as cycling, swimming or water walking, combined with strength work and dietary support, is usually the starting point. Some patients improve enough that surgery can be postponed. Others reach a point where the repair has a better environment to heal.

Planning with your surgeon

At Aman Hospital in Doha, Dr. Gelber discusses weight openly and without judgement, explains the options for your knee, and can coordinate with dietitians and other specialists when needed, so the timing of any surgery works in your favour.