Mangaluru: Knee-related ailments and arthritis are increasingly becoming a concern among younger adults, with doctors attributing the trend to sedentary lifestyles, weight gain, inadequate exercise and poor dietary habits. Orthopaedic surgeons are also treating a growing number of senior citizens who require knee replacement surgery.Dr Yogeesh D Kamat, consultant hip & knee surgeon at KMC Hospital, Mangaluru, said arthritis cases among people in their 30s and 40s are projected to more than double over the next 10 years. He attributed the trend primarily to poor posture, excessive use of electronic media, work-from-home arrangements, and a lack of consistent physical activity.Dr Kamat said, “Post-Covid, the incidence of young people aged under 40 presenting with knee pain has more than doubled. In Mangaluru, about 15% to 20% of the young population, roughly one in six people, experience knee pain, but among those with desk jobs in the IT sector, it is nearly one in three. Over the next decade, more than 50% of young individuals in desk jobs are expected to face knee-related problems.”Dr KR Kamath, HMO at Govt Wenlock Hospital, Mangaluru, and consultant orthopaedic surgeon, said knee pain was prevalent among older adults, while younger people were also increasingly affected. “Around 20% of cases are among young adults, while 80% occur in older adults above 50 years. Most cases are generally due to osteoarthritis,” he explained, referring to the cases he treated.In India, almost 50% of people aged 50 and above experience knee pain, Dr Kamath said. Lifestyle and dietary choices were contributing to the rise in cases among younger people.“Knee arthritis is increasing in the younger population as it may be due to increased body weight, lack of exercise, and faulty food habits. The overuse of joints and nutritional deficiencies could also contribute to the problem,” he said.Dr KR Kamath said maintaining a healthy body weight, building muscle strength, exercising regularly and following a balanced diet could help reduce the risk. He also cautioned against ignoring sports injuries, which could cause long-term joint damage if left untreated.“Any minor injury needs evaluation by consultants, and neglecting sports injuries might cause joint damage and arthritis at an early age,” he said.However, not all knee pain in young adults indicates arthritis. Dr Amarnath D Savur, consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Savur Orthopaedic Centre, said muscle tightness could also cause discomfort.“Knee pain is not necessarily due to arthritis. Often, tightness in the hamstrings at the back of the thighs and around the knee can cause knee pain in young people. Change in lifestyle is often the cause, as physical activity has decreased in the young and old alike,” he said, adding: “Inflammatory joint swelling did not always require surgery.”
