Knee pain, swelling, and stiffness are often associated with advancing age. However, these complaints are increasingly being seen in people in their 30s and 40s as well. Some experience pain while climbing stairs, others notice swelling after exercise, while some develop stiffness after sitting for long periods.
Tavishi Dogra is a Deputy Chief Content Producer, Health & Wellness, at Hindustan Times. She joined Hindustan Times to simplify wellness subjects by cutting through jargon. She has over 9 years of experience writing about fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, translating medical research and expert insights into practical advice readers can trust. Career journey and experience Tavishi began her health journalism journey in 2017, and has since reported for RSTV, Financial Express, Jagran, HT Media Labs and Zee.
Education and professional background Tavishi holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and began her career reporting on public affairs for broadcast. Editorial Philosophy I write with one single goal: To simplify health in a world full of noise by finding what’s actually doable, safe, and evidence-based for my readers. I test claims against research and user experiences. “But does knee pain at a younger age necessarily mean that the knees are aging faster than the rest of the body? Not always. Previous injuries, sports-related ligament damage, repetitive stress, excess weight, and inflammatory conditions can all contribute to knee problems in younger adults,” Dr Rajesh Verma, Head, Spine Surgery, Shalby International Hospital, Gurgaon, Orthopedic, Joint Replacement and Spine Surgery, tells Health Shots . One important cause of knee problems among younger people is a previous sports or ligament injury. The ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) and PCL (Posterior Cruciate Ligament) play an important role in maintaining knee stability. An ACL injury may occur when a person suddenly changes direction, stops while running, or lands awkwardly after a jump. Such injuries are frequently associated with sports such as football, basketball, and soccer. The initial pain and swelling from a knee injury may settle with time, but that does not always mean the underlying problem has completely disappeared. If instability remains after a ligament injury, the way the knee moves can change. This may place additional stress on the meniscus and articular cartilage. Over time, this can contribute to further joint damage and post-traumatic arthritis. Previous joint injury is also recognized as an important risk factor for osteoarthritis. In some cases, cartilage damage or small loose fragments within the joint can cause additional symptoms. People may experience episodes of swelling, catching, or even locking of the knee. When knee pain develops at a young age, simply taking a painkiller and continuing with the same routine may not address the underlying problem. Management depends on the underlying cause and the severity of the condition. For many patients, physiotherapy, muscle-strengthening exercises, weight management, and activity modification may form an important part of treatment. Medicines may also be recommended when appropriate. In selected cases involving significant ligament injury, meniscal problems, or specific cartilage defects, procedures such as arthroscopy, ligament reconstruction, or cartilage restoration techniques may be considered. Such procedures are not required for everyone and are generally recommended after an individual assessment. ( Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.)
When all else fails, I speak to the expert who sees 50 patients a day, not the one with the most followers. Those early years in policy and TV shaped how she writes today: fast, factual, and human-first.
Subject expertise With 9+ years tracking India’s health conversations, Tavishi knows the gap between clinical advice and daily life. She knows fads from fundamentals and curates science-backed, expert-recommended solutions. In fitness, she breaks down bodyweight training, recovery, and posture fixes for desk-bound readers. In nutrition, she translates guidelines into affordable, desi meal tweaks. In mental well-being, she focuses on stigma-free, actionable tools — all backed by research, expert input, and lived context.
From decoding health trends and interviewing doctors to testing fitness routines herself, Tavishi always approaches content with one filter: “Will this help someone make a better decision today?
