People over 40 who develop knee pain often assume it is arthritis, an old sports injury, or simply a sign of getting older, but one expert warns that a particular pattern of pain should not be dismissed and needs proper investigation.
Figures from Arthritis UK reveal that more than 10,000 adults, young people and children across the UK are living with some form of arthritis, meaning it affects one in six people. The organisation states that sufferers are left dealing with pain, fatigue and disability, while also facing mental and financial pressures that affect their ability to work, care for loved ones, and even live independently.
Pain that breaks the usual rules
While ageing remains the most common underlying cause, there are occasions when something else may be responsible for the discomfort, and certain symptoms should never be ignored. Dr Syed Nadeem Abbas of Knee Pain Clinic UK said: "Most knee pain in this age group comes down to wear and tear, and that's still the most likely explanation."
"What tends to get missed is pain that doesn't follow the usual rules, pain that's worse at rest than at activity, or wakes someone up at night rather than settling. That's the pattern I'd always want checked properly rather than put down to getting older, because catching anything unusual early makes a real difference to the outcome."
Warning signs to watch for
The specialist indicated that the symptom to look out for is knee pain that deteriorates at night and fails to subside with rest or painkillers. Typical knee pain stemming from arthritis or overuse will generally improve once you sit down or take the weight off the joint.
Pain associated with a bone tumour can behave quite differently. It may be persistent, progressively worsening, and equally severe, or even more so, when lying motionless as when on your feet. Swelling, a lump near the joint, or unexplained weight loss and fatigue are also warning signs worth raising with a GP. Chondrosarcoma, one of the more prevalent forms of primary bone cancer, is known to affect adults over 40 more than any other age bracket, frequently developing near the hip, thigh or areas in the vicinity of the knee, which is why age is a pertinent factor here.
What to do if you are dealing with knee pain
Dr Abbas advised that for routine knee pain that follows the usual pattern, straightforward measures may prove helpful. Resting the joint for a day or two, applying ice for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, and taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory can ease a flare-up.
Low-impact exercise such as swimming or cycling can help maintain joint mobility without adding unnecessary strain, while a physiotherapist can determine whether weakened muscles surrounding the knee are contributing to the issue. Vitamin D is also worth having tested, since insufficient levels have been associated with joint pain and compromised bone health, and a straightforward blood test via your GP can confirm or exclude it.
None of this substitutes a proper diagnosis, but it can serve as a sensible initial step while observing how the pain develops. Anyone aged over 40 experiencing knee pain that fails to improve with rest, worsens at night, or is accompanied by swelling or a lump, is being urged to have it examined rather than assume it will resolve itself.
