Ms. Duong had been advised by doctors to either undergo surgery for her two degenerated knee joints or pursue weight loss. She attempted an extreme diet, cutting carbohydrates, and lost 5 kg in one month, but it left her severely debilitated. When she sought treatment for obesity at Tam Anh General Hospital Ho Chi Minh City, she was 1,54 m tall, weighed 80 kg, and had a BMI of 34,3, classifying her with class two obesity.

Dr. Truong Thi Vanh Khuyen, a level II specialist from the Department of Endocrinology - Diabetes, diagnosed Ms. Duong with osteoarthritis, exacerbated by aging and excess weight stressing her knees and skeletal system. She also presented with grade 3 fatty liver, dyslipidemia, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis.

Dr. Khuyen analyzes Ms. Duong's body mass index based on InBody measurement results. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Dr. Khuyen designed a personalized treatment plan for Ms. Duong. This included injectable and oral medications to curb appetite, promote satiety, and reduce calorie intake. She also began simple, moderate exercises like swimming or leg raises. Crucially, the plan emphasized adequate nutrition, especially protein, avoiding overly restrictive diets to prevent age-related muscle loss.

In the first month, Ms. Duong lost 4 kg. After 4 months, her weight dropped to 65 kg, and her overall health significantly improved.

According to Dr. Khuyen, obesity leads to excess fat accumulation, which increases leptin production (a hormone from fat cells) in the blood. This can weaken muscles, cause muscle atrophy, and contribute to osteoporosis, raising the risk of fractures from falls. The knees, containing some of the largest and strongest joints, bear up to 80% of the body's weight and are highly active. The force on the knee joints is typically 3-4 times the body's weight.

Losing approximately 10% of body weight significantly reduces pressure on the knees, effectively managing pain and improving inflammation. Dr. Khuyen reported that after Ms. Duong's 15 kg weight loss, her knee pain diminished by about 80%. Four months prior, she struggled to walk; now, she walks comfortably, her knees are pain-free, and she no longer requires knee replacement surgery.

Duc Hanh

* Patient's name has been changed