Many people have the problem of osteoarthritis due to weakening of bones with age, but nowadays due to poor lifestyle many youth are suffering from osteoarthritis at an early age. Health experts say that sedentary lifestyle is the main reason behind this and doctors say that since some companies are still asking employees to work from home after the Covid-19 lockdown, the problem of osteoarthritis is increasing rapidly. .
Due to this, osteoarthritis is no longer limited only to the elderly but young people are also falling prey to this problem. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Ashish Arbat, orthopedic surgeon and joint replacement surgeon at Jahangir Multispeciality Hospital, Pune, said, “Osteoarthritis usually starts making itself felt after fifty. Deficiency of vitamins in the body, weakening of bones, indirectly starts deteriorating the joints. Regular exercise, weights and proper health care can reduce stress on joints and keep joints and muscles strong. At this age, rheumatoid arthritis involves joints of the body like knees, waist, neck and shoulders. However, this problem of aging has recently been seen in many young people. Many people between the ages of 35-45 are now being diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Earlier this problem was mainly seen in people between 55 to 60 years of age.
Dr. Arbat said, “Sedentary lifestyle, obesity and sitting for long periods of time are affecting the health of our bones and joints. An unhealthy diet as well as being overweight or inadequate physical activity can lead to bone loss. After this the problem of osteoarthritis starts appearing. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint, it mainly affects the hands, knees, hips and spine. The increase in the incidence of osteoarthritis among young individuals during the pandemic can be attributed to work-from-home rules. Sitting in front of screens for long periods of time, lack of physical activity, weight gain, poor eating habits and limited exposure to sunlight are the primary factors that cause osteoarthritis.
Dr. Shardul Soman, Orthopedic and Spine Surgeon, Apollo Spectra, Pune, said, “Spine problems are increasing among the youth due to sedentary lifestyle. More than half of adults under the age of 30 are affected. Earlier these complaints were seen at young age but now due to bad lifestyle, riding scooter, lack of regular exercise and lack of physical activities, the problem of arthritis in spine is increasing. Every month about 30-35 patients come for treatment complaining of back pain. After medical examination, he was found to be suffering from osteoarthritis.”
He shared, “Factors that contribute to osteoarthritis in young people include lack of physical activity, sitting for long periods of time, lifting heavy objects, sedentary office work, being overweight or obese, excessive running or participating in high-impact sports.” Lena, joint injuries, birth defects etc. Hip dysplasia or unevenness. Immediate attention should be paid to leg length, hormonal imbalance affecting growth, diabetes and family history of osteoarthritis. It is important to pay attention to signs and symptoms such as joint pain, discomfort, swelling, redness around the joints and problems with movement as there may be swelling in the bones, bone or joint infection, wear and tear of the joints, cancer, rickets, Vitamin D Due to deficiency, there may be pain in the joints. Pain. The problem of joint pain in youth is increasing day by day and it is more common in women than men. If left untreated, problems like vitamin B12 and calcium deficiency can cause joint pain.
Dr. Arabat concluded by advising, “To avoid the problem of osteoarthritis in youth, one should avoid eating low-calorie food, junk food, processed and canned food. Include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet, exercise daily, and use any supplements only on the advice of your doctor. It is important to maintain a healthy weight through proper nutrition to avoid putting too much stress on the joints.
