In today’s fast-paced world people try to save time and are so busy they happen to do everything at their desk; be it working or eating. This takes a toll on our bodies, especially our knees. The sedentary lifestyle adaptations due to desk jobs affect knee health and overall mobility of a person. It has become an orthopaedic concern so it’s crucial to understand the prolonged impacts of sitting in just one place on the knees. Additionally, let us understand what preventative measures must be taken to preserve knee health.
How Desk Jobs Affect Knee Health
1. Deskbound Lifestyle and Knee Health
Most desk-related job holders sit for very long hours. This causes severe problems with the knees. Your knee joints remain stuck in a position if you sit for long periods, which causes stiffness and reduces the muscles supporting your knee. This finally ends up in patellofemoral pain syndrome or osteoarthritis.
2. Weight Gain and Associated Problems
A sedentary lifestyle is associated with weight gain. The added weight puts increased stress on the knee. For each pound that a person adds to their body weight, his or her knee joints are subjected to more stress, thus facilitating the formation of knee problems. Orthopaedic surgeons often see patients complaining of knee pains aggravating due to excessive weight, thus making this one of the most important factors to consider.
3. Bad Posture
Poor posture during sitting for long hours also leads to knee pain. When you slouch or sit with bad posture, it puts too much strain on the knees and can often lead to pains that may be aches as well as chronic ones. It is hence very important to have an ergonomic workplace arrangement to ensure that the kneeling muscles are healthy.
Preventive Measures for Maintaining Knee Health
1. Daily Exercise Movement
For the knees, the best cure for a desk job is regular movement. One should stand and stretch every 30 minutes. Knees can stay agile and less stiff with short walks at work.
Exercising those muscles around your knee would better strengthen the knees themselves. The most basic exercises that can be done would be lifting the legs, or hamstrings curls, and squats. Consult a nearby orthopaedic doctor or physiotherapist to obtain a tailored exercise plan.
3. Proper Ergonomics
Make sure that your workstation is ergonomic. It should benefit you in providing good posture. Your sitting chair should support your lower back, and your feet should lie flat on the floor. Your knees should be at a right angle and then aligned with your hips. You should not exert much strain in your knees; this whole joint setup reduces the pressure.
4. Regular Check-ups
Regular check-ups with an orthopaedic surgeon are essential if you experience persistent pain in your knees. Most of the minor issues can be prevented from rising to more severe conditions if sought early. Find an ortho near me for the best practitioners around your region.
The Role of Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy
Where there is pain and discomfort physiotherapy helps to treat and manage it. Rehabilitation and physiotherapy play a crucial role in improving your knee health if you sit for long hours for work. Physiotherapy is helpful for even mild discomfort, helping everyone recover after surgery, repair damaged tissues, regain mobility, strengthen muscles, and improve joint function. Knee issues are a universal problem; there are specific rehabilitation programs designed at Sancheti Hospital to deal with knee issues due to a sedentary lifestyle.
Sitting at a desk seems harmless, but if left unchecked, it can cause very serious knee harm. Keeping active and with the right posture can help protect your knees from wear and tear. If you are suffering from knee pain, visit an orthopaedic surgeon and undergo physiotherapy for proper treatment.
For more information on how to maintain knee health, visit Sancheti Hospital’s website.
