Patient question

I'm 60 and my knee hurts. Is it just age?

Dr. Pablo GelberOrthopaedic Knee Surgeon

Quick answer

Knee pain after 60 is common, often from osteoarthritis, but it is not something you simply have to put up with. Strength exercises, weight control, walking aids and injections help many people, and knee replacement is an option when they no longer do. Gout, hip problems and infection must also be ruled out, says Dr. Pablo Gelber, knee surgeon at Aman Hospital, Doha.

Age is a factor, not a diagnosis

Cartilage wear increases with age, and many people over 60 have some arthritis on an X-ray. But X-ray changes and pain do not always match: some people with marked changes have little pain, and others with mild changes struggle. The goal of an assessment is to find out what is causing your pain and what will help you do what matters to you, whether that is walking to the mosque, playing with grandchildren or travelling.

Causes to consider after 60

Knee osteoarthritis: pain on walking and stairs, stiffness after rest, sometimes swelling or a bowed leg
Degenerative meniscus tears, often alongside arthritis
Gout or pseudogout: a sudden, hot, very painful swollen knee
Hip arthritis, which can be felt mainly in the knee
A Baker's cyst behind the knee
Less commonly, a stress fracture or weakened bone near the knee, especially in people with osteoporosis
Rarely, infection or a tumour, which is why night pain, fever or weight loss always need investigation

Treatments that help

A daily routine of walking and thigh strengthening, adapted to what the knee tolerates
Weight loss if needed, which reduces load on the joint
A walking stick held in the opposite hand on bad days
Simple pain relief and anti-inflammatory gels, after checking with a doctor or pharmacist given other medicines
Steroid or other injections for flares
Knee replacement, or partial replacement, when pain and limitation persist despite these measures

At home, raising low beds and chairs, adding grab rails and using a chair for prayer or the majlis if floor sitting is difficult can make daily life easier.

When to see a knee surgeon in Doha

Book an appointment if pain limits walking, wakes you at night, or the knee swells or gives way. Seek urgent care for a hot, red knee with fever, or after a fall if you cannot bear weight.

At Aman Hospital in Doha, Dr. Gelber reviews the knee and hip, standing X-rays and your general health, and talks through options at a pace that suits you and your family.

Frequently asked questions

Am I too old for knee replacement?

Age alone is rarely the deciding factor. General health, heart and lung fitness and your goals matter more. Many people in their seventies and eighties have knee replacements when pain is limiting their life.

Should an older person stop walking if the knee hurts?

Usually not. Stopping often makes the knee weaker and stiffer. Shorter, more frequent walks on level ground, with a stick if needed, are generally better than resting the knee completely.