Joint Pains

Mrs Malhotra, now 64 yrs, lives in her 1st floor flat with her husband. Both their children are married and live outside Delhi. She used to run her house with help but was going to the market for all her daily needs. Lately she is not really getting out much as her knees really ache and climbing stairs is getting to be a problem. She is really missing going to meet her friends and going to the temple. The loneliness is driving her to depression, making her gain weight and making her dependent on other people. This story is getting repeated in so many households.

As Indians we are genetically predisposed to knee pain. The lack of exercise is making our bones softer and more prone to deformities and causing awkward loading of joints thus worsening the pain. There are other risks of developing Osteoarthritis (wearing out of joints). These include ageing, obesity, family history of Osteoarthritis, malaligned bones & having any other type of Arthritis. Our Indian lifestyle, especially ground sitting habits, use of Indian toilet will further exacerbate any existing knee pain. As of today there is no reliable way to regenerate the lining cartilage of the knee. Nutritional supplements can be taken but scientific evidence for their use is rather limited. The other options of joint injections and physiotherapy seem to have better evidence to support their use. There is no doubt that thin and low body weight people who are active with flexible joints and strong bones have the best chance of avoiding joint pains.

Long term joint pain, lasting more than few days, benefit from a visit to the Doctor. Depending on your condition, your doctor will make a treatment plan, which will include medications, exercise, physical therapy & a few steps in

lifestyle modification. In extreme cases he may recommend either key hole surgery or even joint replacements.

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