Britain's growing obesity epidemic has sparked a huge rise in the number of people suffering from knee pain, a surgeon warned today.
Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Ronan Banim said surgeons are seeing knees that are “literally being crushed” by excess weight.
He warned that if obesity levels continue to increase, the number of people who need knee replacements is likely to “go through the roof”.
He made his comments after new research found 28% of UK workers suffer from painful knees.
And almost a quarter of 1,600 people aged 16 to 65 have been living with pain for up to two years.
Those over the age of 55 suffer the most, with one in ten questioned by healthcare charity Nuffield Health claiming they are in constant pain.
Mr Banim, who works at Nuffield Health Chester Hospital, said: “If levels of obesity continue to rise the number of people needing knee replacements is likely go through the roof.
“In clinics we are seeing knees that are literally being crushed by excess weight. This puts pressure on joints and can increase the long-term risk of osteoarthritis.
“Weight control, regular, careful, exercise and healthy eating are extremely important.
"Although knee pain may not life threatening, if left untreated it can seriously impact on quality of life.”