My knee started hurting in my 40s. Is it arthritis?

Why the forties are a turning point

From around 40, the meniscus becomes less elastic and the joint cartilage less able to cope with sudden heavy loads. Muscle mass also starts to fall unless you work to keep it. For many people in Qatar, this decade coincides with more desk time, more driving and a few extra kilos, each of which adds load to the knee.

Common causes in this age group

• Early knee osteoarthritis: a gradual ache, stiffness after sitting or first thing in the morning, sometimes mild swelling
• Degenerative meniscus tear: pain on the inner side, often after a squat or turn, sometimes with catching
• Kneecap pain: an ache on stairs, kneeling or getting up from low chairs and the majlis
• Tendon pain around the kneecap or on the inner side below the joint, known as pes anserine pain
• In women, hormonal changes around menopause can coincide with more joint aches

What helps

• Strengthening the thigh and hip muscles two or three times a week
• Staying active with walking, cycling or swimming rather than stopping exercise
• Losing even a modest amount of weight if you are carrying extra, which reduces load across the knee with every step
• Adjusting rather than abandoning sport: shorter padel sessions, fewer back-to-back matches

MRI scans in this age group often show meniscus wear that is common even in people without pain, so the scan has to be read alongside the examination.

When to see a knee surgeon

Book an appointment if the knee swells, locks or gives way, if pain wakes you at night, or if it has not improved after six weeks of exercise and sensible changes.

At Aman Hospital in Doha, Dr. Gelber examines the knee, reviews a standing X-ray when needed, and explains whether the problem is likely to respond to physiotherapy, an injection or, less often, surgery.