Women And Joint Pain: Why Early, Pain-Free Intervention And Lifestyle Changes Matter

News18

23-05-2025

Last Updated:
Ignoring early warning signs of joint pain can lead to chronic discomfort, limited mobility, and a painful, invasive treatment.
Joint pain is usually viewed as a trivial matter, an acceptable part of ageing, motherhood, or athleticism. But such a frequent complaint should be taken more seriously, particularly because, for so many women, the pain begins early and accelerates stealthily. Women all over India are suffering from joint-related issues such as knee pain, backache, and stiffness at relatively younger ages. What is concerning is not so much the incidence, but the inclination to put off treatment. Often, women continue to manage pain with over-the-counter remedies, home treatments, or simply ignore it until it begins to affect their mobility and quality of life.
There are several reasons why women experience joint pain more frequently. Dr. Sharmila Tulpule, Orthopaedic Surgeon and Regenerative Medicine Specialist; Founder & Director, Orthobiologiox Biotech Pvt. Ltd shares the reasons.
Hormonal: Reduced estrogen after menopause can reduce natural joint and cartilage shielding.
Anatomical differences: A woman's broader pelvis and joint alignment cause more stress on the knees and lower back.
Life activities: Most women juggle jobs, homemaking, caregiving, and frequently have no time for rest or organised exercise. These demands can place repetitive strain on joints.
Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis also affect more women and may cause long-term joint pain and inflammation. Despite all of this, early warning signs are often ignored or normalised.
Joint disorders such as osteoarthritis or back problems usually begin with mild symptoms- morning stiffness, mild pain, or tiredness. These early symptoms are easy to overlook, but responding to them can retard or even stop damage. Holding off until the pain is bad usually restricts what can be done and raises the likelihood that surgery will be necessary. Early diagnosis permits easier, less disruptive treatments and improved long-term results.
Treating joint pain no longer equals depending solely on pain medication or surgery. Regenerative therapies now provide safer, non-surgical alternatives using the body's natural healing power. Dr Tulpule shares some of the most important therapies. These are:
PRP Therapy: Applies platelets from your blood to alleviate pain and aid in healing.
Stem Cell Therapy: Repairs injured cartilage and slows down joint deterioration.
Autologous Conditioned Serum (ACS): Relies on proteins from your blood to combat inflammation.
Fat-Derived Injections: Utilises cells from your body fat to cushion and repair joints.
These treatments are most effective in the early stages and can help women stay active, avoid surgery, and reduce long-term discomfort.
Prevention And Lifestyle Matter
Maintaining joint health goes beyond just medical treatment, it requires a more holistic approach. Dr Tulpule notes that key lifestyle factors play a crucial role, including maintaining a healthy weight to reduce stress on the joints, staying physically active with low-impact exercises like swimming, walking, or yoga, and ensuring proper nutrition, particularly adequate levels of vitamin D, calcium, and anti-inflammatory foods. It's also important to monitor hormonal changes, especially during and after menopause, as these can significantly affect joint health.
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