Rising Knee Pain Rates Alarmingly High among Young Adults
SEOUL,SOUTH KOREA – A growing trend of knee pain and early-onset osteoarthritis is impacting young adults worldwide,traditionally a demographic less susceptible to such conditions. While knee pain is commonly associated with aging, recent data indicates a notable increase in cases among individuals in their 30s, 40s, and even younger.
According to South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare, knee replacement surgeries in patients aged 40 to 60 have increased by 240%. Experts attribute this rise to factors including participation in high-intensity sports and increasing body mass index (BMI).
A recent study conducted by the University of Oulu in Finland revealed structural changes in the knees of individuals as early as age 30, often without noticeable symptoms. The study, involving 297 participants, found cartilage defects between the patella and thigh bones in over half of those examined. More than a quarter exhibited similar defects in the joints between the shin and thigh bones, and over half displayed small bone spurs. Researchers identified a higher BMI as a major contributing factor to these defects.
BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters (kg/m²). Western standards classify a BMI of 18.5-24.9 as normal weight, 30-34.9 as obesity, 35-39.9 as high obesity, and 40 or higher as ultra-high obesity. Korean standards define less than 20 as underweight,20-24 as normal weight,25-30 as mild obesity,and 30 or more as obesity.
In the United States, over 40% of adults are obese. Dr. Lan Schwartzkov, a professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of New York, told Fox News, ”The higher the body mass index of the young American, the higher the knee problem.” He explained that increased weight places a greater burden on joints, accelerating wear and tear.
Experts also point to sports-related injuries as a contributing factor. “Traumatic injuries caused by sports or other activities continue to deteriorate over time,” they say. The combination of increased body weight, higher BMI, and accumulated injuries from activity can lead to cartilage breakdown and ultimately, osteoarthritis. This progression can eventually necessitate knee replacement surgery.
