Why Knee Pain Is Increasing In People Under 40

Knee pain is no longer just a concern for older adults. More and more people in their 20s and 30s are dealing with regular knee pain, sometimes needing medical help. But what’s causing this early discomfort? And what can you do about it?

For better understanding, let’s make it clear and straightforward. 

1. Too Much Sitting, Sudden Exercise

Our bodies are meant to stay active. But modern life often involves long hours of sitting , whether it’s at a desk, in front of a screen, or during commutes. This weakens the muscles around the knees, especially in the thighs and hips.

On the other hand, doing intense workouts suddenly after a long time of break.  Playing weekend match or hitting the gym too hard can over-pressure the knees, resulting in pain or injury.

2. Bad Posture and Body Alignment

How you walk, stand or distribute your weight matters more than you think.  standing by putting all your weight on one leg or walking around with poor posture can slowly weaken your knees. Over time, the kneecap might slightly shift out of its place, causing a sharp or dull pain. these are often ignored until they cause discomfort on daily base.

3. Extra Weight

Having extra weight will put more weight on your knees. Every step that you take while walking with weights – just a few kilos, can put an multiplied load on your knees. This pressure can harm the joints, even for someone who is young and healthy.

4. Too Much Exercise Without Rest

Working out is good, but overdoing it can hurt. Running every day without breaks, cycling with poor form, or doing repeated exercises like squats without knowing the proper posture can irritate the knees. Many young people keep pushing through the pain, thinking it’ll go away but it usually gets worse.

5. Old Injuries That Were Ignored

A minor injury from years ago, such as twisting your knee while playing, can still be causing problems and discomfort at present that has been ignored or not treated properly. Damaged ligaments or cartilage can leave the joints unstable, making the pain recur.

6. Health Conditions You Might Not Expect

Sometimes the problem isn’t physical activity. Conditions like early arthritis, lupus, gout, or joint inflammation can begin early in life. These need special care and can’t be fixed with just rest or exercise.

7. Wrong Footwear and Hard Floors

Wearing footwear like flat slippers, high heels or worn-out shoes can affect how your knees absorb pressure. The right footwear makes your weight spread equally on your feet, balancing your body weight, keeping you stable and comfortable.

What You Can Do to fix Early: 

• Strengthen your legs: Focusing on exercises that build thigh, hip and glute can strengthen your lower body. 
• Check your posture: learn how to stand, walk and move in the right posture. 
• Don’t ignore pain:  Overlooking the pain is what people often do; ongoing discomfort is a sign to see a doctor. 
• Watch your weight: Even a small reduction in weight can make a big difference 
• Wear proper shoes: Supportive footwear is the best to protect your knees.

As the best orthopaedic doctor in Chennai, we at Sugam Hospital help individuals of all ages recognize and manage diagnosed knee pain early. Our specialists will help you understand what causes your knee pain and will help you determine the best treatment options from exercises to medical treatment. 

Your knees are meant to move, not be in pain. Let’s address your knee pain immediately, not later.