Is knee pain normal at 45? Yes, it is normal to experience mild discomfort, pain, and strain when engaging in certain activities. However, persistent pain may signal underlying issues such as arthritis and past injuries acting up with age. Hence, it requires immediate medical attention.
But here’s the good news — having knee pain at 45 does not signal the end of your mobility. Thanks to cutting-edge medical sciences, there are effective strategies to manage knee pain — from conservative care and practical lifestyle modifications to interventional knee replacement surgeries. With guidance from Chennai’s best orthopaedic doctor at Sri Balaji Hospital, you can choose the approach that best suits your needs.
If you are 45 years old and struggling with knee pain, this guide is for you. We discuss the most common causes, preventive measures, and latest treatment options available to help you maintain strong, healthy knees.
Why Does Knee Pain Occur at 45: Exploring the Causative Factors
At the age of 45, there could be several reasons triggering your knee pain. However, the most common culprits are:
- Age
- Wear and tear of the joint and tissues
- Other underlying knee-related conditions
Now, you may wonder, “Is knee pain at 45 a sign of early arthritis?” For the most part, yes. In fact, Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common reasons for knee pain at 45. It is a degenerative condition caused by the wear and tear of the knee cartilage over time. People with this condition often complain of stiffness and swelling in the knee joint.
Beyond osteoarthritis, there are several reasons contributing to knee pain at 45s. These causative factors include:
- Muscle Weakness/Imbalance: Muscle loss that occurs during ageing may lead to weakening of the crucial muscles — like your quadriceps and hamstrings — resulting in tremendous stress in your knee joint.
- Obesity: Being overweight places unnecessary stress and pressure on your knee joints, causing constant wear and tear of bones and tissues.
- Tendon-Related Issues: Inflammation of the tendons of the knee joint caused by excessive use (patellar tendonitis) or degeneration and abnormal tendon function (tendinopathy) is likely to cause knee problems.
- Bursitis: Bursae are liquid-filled sacs that are located around the knee joint. Bursitis is the inflammation of these sacs as a result of joint degeneration, ageing, or recurring kneeling or pressure on the knee.
- Ligament Problems: Weakened ligaments of the knee and previous ligament injuries — for example, ACL tears — cause pain and poor balance.
- Meniscal Tears: The Meniscus gets weakened with age — causing tears from degenerative changes or minor injuries.
- Previous Injuries: Previous fractures and neglected fall injuries — which haven't been treated well — can develop arthritis and chronic pain at 45 years of age.
Apart from these causes, at 45 years, knee pain can also occur due to:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Referred pain from the spine or hip
- Body infections
Next, you will probably wonder, “When should I be worried about my knee pain?” You should take note of your symptoms and consult your doctor if the pain:
- Continues even after adequate rest
- Restricts your daily activities
- Is accompanied by stiffness, swelling, or instability
Early medical intervention can promote quicker healing, better mobility, and may even help avoid extensive treatments like surgery.
Let’s next look at the treatment options for knee pain at 45.
Also Read: How to Strengthen Bones After 30: Essential Tips For Everyone
Relief From Knee Pain at 45s: Discover the Treatment Options
Irrespective of age, knee treatment in most cases is determined by the causative factors, intensity of the problem, and your overall health condition. Your doctor might suggest the following options:
1. Conservative Treatments
Simple, conservative treatments can significantly improve your knee issue. Based on the diagnosis, your doctor may recommend non-surgical, non-medical measures, such as:
- Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles, boost flexibility, and minimise pain
- Low-impact exercises like walking and swimming, and yoga or simple mobility exercises to sustain joint mobility and boost overall joint health and flexibility
- Weight management to bring your weight under control if obesity is the reason for your knee pain
- Knee braces or orthotics to align your knees and reduce muscle and joint strain
- Hot therapy to relax the muscles
- Cold therapy to reduce swelling
2. Medications
When conservative treatments fail to deliver results, the next possible options are medications, such as:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen (for mild pain)
- NSAIDs to treat inflammatory pain
- Corticosteroid injections for severe inflammation and arthritis pain
- Hyaluronic acid injections for joint lubrication for osteoarthritis
- Colchicine or allopurinol for gout-related knee pain
3. Minimally-Invasive Interventions
When medication and conservative treatments do not work, your doctor may recommend minimally invasive interventions, like:
- Arthroscopic surgeries to mend meniscal tears and remove debris in the joint
- PRP/Platelet-Rich-Plasma therapy that uses your blood to accelerate healing in soft tissues
4. Surgeries
Sometimes, when the damage is severe, major surgeries may be the best option to restore your knee’s functionality and your mobility. Depending on the damage, you may require:
- Total knee replacement for severe joint damage or arthritis
- Partial knee replacement to replace only the damaged portion of your knee
- Osteotomy to reduce the pressure on your knee through bone realignment
Although there are many treatment options, prevention is always better than a cure — let’s next explore how to maintain your knee health at 45.
Preventive Measures to Avoid Knee Pain at 45s
Are you wondering, “How do I take care of my knees after 45?” Maintaining your knee joint requires an ongoing effort with minor but effective adjustments to your lifestyle:
- Exercise regularly to improve your overall joint mobility:
- Engage in low-impact activities like yoga and swimming to strengthen your knee muscles without hurting them.
- Include strength training for hamstrings, quadriceps, and glutes to support the knee.
- Maintain a healthy body weight through diet and exercise to minimise knee strain.
- Use proper footwear:
- Wear supportive shoes with good cushioning on the soles to reduce the impact on your knees.
- Consider wearing orthotics like arched insoles and toe spacers to minimise the effect of flat feet and alignment issues.
- Avoid overusing your knee joint by indulging in sudden, prolonged walks, high-impact exercise routines, and improper workouts. Always take it slow and build momentum as you train.
- Do not subject your knee joints to high-impact exercises without gradual health buildup — as this can damage the joint and set you back by days or weeks.
- Focus on proper form and posture during exercise.
- Always start with a warm-up and end with a cool-down session to prevent injuries.
- Use joint supplements to alleviate knee pain. But always consult a doctor before taking any supplements.
- Engage in regular checkups to address minor knee injuries immediately before they snowball into larger issues — especially if you are genetically prone to arthritis or other conditions.
- Always maintain good posture to evenly balance your weight on your joints.
- Use knee pads for extra support — particularly when exercising, gardening, etc.
So, if you are thinking, “Is it possible to stop knee pain when ageing?” Yes, it is. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, good posture, weight management, and prompt medical care can significantly slow down joint degeneration and keep your knees healthy for many more years.
Ensuring Strong Knees as You Age
Knee pain at 45 and beyond is not a given. So, how do you stop knee pain when ageing?
- Consult your doctor.
- Follow the preventive measures.
- Take the right approach to safeguarding your knees from injuries and age-related deterioration.
For professional advice on joint health, visit our experts at Sri Balaji Hospital — the leading orthopaedic hospital in Chennai. We are a renowned multispeciality hospital dedicated to enhancing your quality of life with cutting-edge treatments and low-cost care.
