New Delhi: Health experts are reporting a sharp increase in knee ‘osteoarthritis’ in the younger population, a condition typically associated with ageing. According to health experts, they have been receiving patients as young as 40 years complaining of severe knee pain and work absenteeism. Experts claimed that while joint pain at any age is known to negatively affect the overall well-being and productivity of a person, the early onset is bringing a different set of challenges to deal with.
Experts mentioned that rise in knee osteoarthritis in the younger population is surprising as it is a condition which develops due to wear and tear of weight bearing joints, mostly due to ageing. According to doctors, knee osteoarthritis triggers due to some morphological and biochemical changes in the knee joints, creating a gap between the joints that leads to abrasion and joint degeneration, a classical symptom of ageing.
“Of late I have been receiving patients as young as 40-41, complaining of severe knee pain and work absenteeism. Unlike elderly knee osteoarthritis patients, who are into pain management, this young working lot is focused on completing a quick recovery so they could resume work as soon as possible. With cut-throat competition, they cannot afford low productivity in their working age,” said associate director and unit head, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dr. L. Tomar.
Knee pain is reported to cause loss of productivity and poor growth at the prime of one’s career. It increases apprehension concerning financial obligations and makes it difficult for patients to sustain a normal family and social life.
Dr. Tomar pointed that an early onset of degenerative joint disease simply means that factors like unhealthy lifestyle, obesity, lack of sun exposure and substance abuse played their part way too well.
According to ‘American Journal of Clinical Nutrition’, another reason of weak bones at a young age is an excessive intake of caffeinated drinks, especially in childhood and adolescence. “Clearly, we are falling short in ensuring bone health at almost every front, leading to a sharp rise in knee arthritis in working age,” added Dr. Tomar.
