Knee Replacement at 40? Why ortho issues are striking younger Indians

Knee replacement surgeries are no longer limited to the elderly. Osteoarthritis of the knee and other joint-related issues—is now increasingly affecting people in their 30s and 40s (Image: Pexels)

What was once considered a condition of old age—osteoarthritis of the knee and other joint-related issues—is now increasingly affecting people in their 30s and 40s. This shift is evident in clinics, where it is no longer uncommon to see patients in their 40s suffering from severe joint disease that significantly impacts their quality of life.

A sedentary lifestyle, rising obesity levels, increased participation in sports, and inflammatory disorders are believed to be the key factors driving this trend. As a result, knee replacement surgeries are no longer limited to the elderly.

Dr. Ramneek Mahajan, Chairman – Orthopaedics, Joint Replacement & Chief Robotic Joint Replacement at Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, takes a closer look at what’s behind this changing patient demographic.

Also Read: Sarcoma and Bone Cancer Awareness Month: Bone pain isn’t always about age; when to see a doctor

• Sedentary lifestyle: Lack of physical activity and working long hours at a desk has been known to have a bad effect on the knees. The rise of remote jobs and work from home since the COVID pandemic has added to this. Weak muscles and inactivity are guaranteed to accelerate cartilage damage.

• Obesity: Rising standards of living in urban and rural India has also coincided with rising obesity rates. This puts undue stress on the joints and can lead to early cartilage wear and metabolic issues.

• Increasing sports participation: Young Indians have been adopting high impact sports activities. While on one hand this fosters fitness and is generally healthy, improper training methods, the lack of awareness about sports related injuries and the limited availability of specialized care has led to an increase in untreated joint injuries leading to osteoarthritis in the young.

• Inflammatory disorders: Disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and gout are mismanaged due to perceived myths. Improper treatment without the supervision of a rheumatologist or orthopaedic causes flare ups and joint damage.

It is generally believed that knee replacements have a lifespan of 15-20 years but with the help of Smart robotics and Smart implants, this has increased to 25+ years and younger patient may need revision surgeries later. Modern advances in the field of Smart robotic surgery have been able to increase the lifespan of these Smart implants by tailoring the surgery and implant to each patient with a level of precision that was not possible before, says the Doctor.

However, as the time-tested adage goes, prevention is better than cure. An active lifestyle, healthy diet and seeking expert care when needed should help one avoid or delay knee replacement surgery.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis