Surgeons are seeing joints that are “being crushed” by excess weight, says consultant orthopaedic surgeon Ronan Banim.
And he warns that if obesity continues to rise, the numbers needing knee replacements is likely to “go through the roof”.
New research suggests 28 per cent of workers struggle with painful knees – while almost a quarter of 1,600 polled, aged 16 to 65, said they have been living with agony for up to two years.
Those over 55 suffer most while one in 10 surveyed by healthcare charity Nuffield Health claimed they are in constant pain.
Mr Banim, from Nuffield Health Chester Hospital, Cheshire, said: “We are seeing knees that are literally being crushed by excess weight. This puts pressure on joints and can increase the longterm risk of osteoarthritis.
We are seeing knees that are literally being crushed by excess weight. This puts pressure on joints and can increase the longterm risk of osteoarthritis
“Weight control, regular, careful, exercise and healthy eating are extremely important. Though knee pain may not be life threatening, if left untreated it can seriously impact on quality of life.”