Osteoarthritis (OA), a condition resulting from the breakdown of cartilage, is on the rise in the UK. Each year, over 250,000 people in the UK have joint replacement surgery. Projections indicate that by 2060, the demand for such surgeries will have increased by 40%.
While there is evidence of increasing cases in younger individuals, it is estimated that one in two UK adults will have OA by the age of 70. Consultant orthopaedic hip surgeon Giles Stafford notes that active individuals who have engaged in significant sport may experience joint problems earlier.
Causes of OA are complex, involving genetics, lifestyle, and exercise habits. A sedentary lifestyle is considered a major factor, partly due to its link with obesity and increased inflammation. Conversely, overloading the body's healing capacity or sustaining significant injury can also lead to OA, with effects potentially appearing decades later.
David Vaux, an osteopath and consultant for Arthritis Action, suggests that exercise in midlife should be approached like a dosage of medicine, with too much or too little potentially causing issues. He recommends a steady, consistent exercise programme with ample recovery time for most midlifers.