Knee Pain Epidemic: Modern Lifestyles Fueling a Surge in Joint Problems, Even Among Young Adults

Modern living is damaging our jointsLifestyle diseases are commonly associated with conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems. However, there is another debilitating lifestyle disease steadily and silently on the rise: chronic knee pain. Once identified as a disease found in the elderly, knee pain is increasingly affecting everyone, from young adults in their 30’s and 40’s to office goers and even teenagers. It is turning into the next big lifestyle disease.As an orthopaedic surgeon, I have seen a significant rise in patients, many of whom are under 40, complaining of persistent knee discomfort, stiffness, or pain during movement. The culprit is our modern lifestyle which typically involves prolonged sitting, lack of physical exercise, poor body posture, and obesity.Knees are load-bearing joints. They are the silent warriors that literally support us every step of our life journey. They are not built for long periods of inaction and, like a car engine, need to be exercised regularly if they have to stay in good health. When we sit for hours at the same place without much bodily movement, such as at work desk, in a car or on a couch, we reduce blood circulation to the knee joints and weaken the surrounding muscles. The result is long-term damage to knee cartilage, pain and swelling, and in some cases, even early onset of osteoarthritis.Inactive lifestyleA large part of our daily routine involves staying immobile. Remote working, binge-watching TV shows and addiction to mobile phone means our knees hardly get the movement they were designed for. Lack of physical activities in our daily life makes the situation worse, leading to unstable knees with poor muscular support.Even an aggressive fitness routine, if not done properly, is no guarantee of healthy knees. Many people tend to indulge in high-impact workouts without proper warm-up. Running on hard surfaces, using incorrect footwear, or pushing through pain can accelerate joint damage and degeneration.Obesity Weight gain is a major cause of knee problems. Every extra kilogram in body weight adds about four kilograms of extra pressure on the knee joints during walking. Over time, this leads to cartilage breakdown. Fat tissue also produces inflammation which can accelerate joint degeneration, increasing the risk of arthritis.Poor posturePoor posture, such as when staring at laptop or mobile phone screens for hours at a stretch, can gradually change the alignment of the spine and hips. Such misalignment leads to uneven pressure on the knees which, if not corrected in time, leads to knee pain and damage.Prevention is better than cureUnlike many other chronic conditions, knee pain is largely preventable. Small changes in our daily life can make a big difference to knee health.Pain is your body’s way of giving you a signal. Do not ignore chronic knee discomfort. If knee pain persists for more than a month, affects your ability to walk or move, or is accompanied by swelling, immediately consult an orthopaedic specialist. Delaying treatment will lead to further deterioration and limit your treatment options later.Healthy knees are a lifestyle choice, not only a medical issue. Ask yourself: Are you making the right one?By Dr Amyn Rajani, M.S Orth (Gold Medallist), Consultant Knee, Shoulder & Hip Surgeon - Breach Candy, PD Hinduja & Saifee | Founder, OAKS Clinic, Mumbai. Dr. Amyn Rajani is an Orthopaedic Surgeon specializing in Arthroscopy, Joint Replacement and Sports Injuries