Joint Pain Is No Longer an Ageing Problem: Why More Young Indians Are Facing Orthopaedic Issues

Joint pain and other orthopaedic problems used to be considered natural results of ageing by individuals in the past. Nonetheless, this trend seems to be altering gradually. Increasingly, Indian youth is developing knee, back, neck, shoulder and other orthopaedic ailments before reaching middle age. Recent clinical research indicates that sedentary lifestyle, extended screen time, obesity, improper posture and unprofessional exercise are some of the reasons behind this change.

The first one of these is the current office life. Sedentary habits of sitting at work while working from home, sitting in front of computer table for several hours, sitting in long trips, and constantly using the smartphone result in decreased physical activity and muscle weakness that leads to joint mobility. In addition, improper ergonomics and long-time sitting might lead to back, neck, and shoulder pains. The other end of the spectrum is intense workouts performed improperly, without proper warming up, and an abrupt increase in intensity of exercises.

Another significant factor worth noting is body weight. The higher one’s weight, the greater the mechanical pressure will be on the weight-bearing joints, such as knees. There have also been studies conducted by researchers in India revealing that obesity and sedentary jobs were among the factors contributing to osteoarthritis of the knees. Yet, joint problems in young individuals do not necessarily mean osteoarthritis; there may also be other conditions affecting joints.

Fortunately, many risk factors for joint problems are modifiable. One can keep a proper weight, maintain an active lifestyle, build muscle strength, improve their posture and use correct exercising techniques in order to prevent the occurrence of any issues in the future. Some of these activities include low impact exercising, like walking, swimming, and riding a bike.

Above all else, joint pain, swelling, stiffness, clicking, instability, and trouble with daily tasks should not be ignored simply because they are considered “normal.” Early evaluation can help determine the cause and prevent small problems from becoming bigger limitations.

Joint problems may no longer be a condition of aging, but with proper knowledge and orthopedic treatment, young Indians can take important steps in maintaining their mobility well into the future.