Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
For people who spend their lives on the sports field, persistent joint pain can easily be mistaken for the physical toll of an active lifestyle. But ignoring the symptoms of arthritis could mean the difference between making temporary adjustments to training and facing long-term damage that affects everyday mobility.
On World Arthritis Day on October 12, specialists are urging people to recognise the warning signs early and seek medical advice, while emphasising that an arthritis diagnosis does not necessarily mean giving up sport.
One in five people in the UAE lives with some form of arthritis, according to Dr Humeira Badsha, consultant rheumatologist and board member of the Middle East Arthritis Foundation. The condition encompasses more than 100 disorders and is not limited to older people, with rheumatoid arthritis commonly developing between the ages of 20 and 40.
Pain, swelling, warmth, tenderness and stiffness can be early indicators, but active people may attribute these symptoms to previous injuries, overtraining or muscle strain. A history of sports-related joint injuries can also increase the likelihood of developing arthritis later in life.
Dr Badsha says persistent pain lasting more than six to eight weeks warrants investigation, while morning stiffness lasting more than an hour may indicate inflammatory arthritis. Delayed diagnosis remains a concern in the UAE. Untreated arthritis can cause irreversible joint damage.
“Exercise is not the enemy of healthy joints, and muscle strengthening is one of the best ways to support them. Weight counts as well, as every extra kilogramme above a healthy body weight adds about five kilograms of stress to the knees,” Dr Badsha added after sharing the aforementioned data.
For Dr Azam Badar Khan, a specialist orthopaedic surgeon known as Dr Knee and founder of World Knee Day (coming up on October 25), protecting the joints requires attention throughout an athlete’s career and beyond.
Strengthening the quadriceps, hamstrings and surrounding muscles helps stabilise the knee, while flexibility, balanced nutrition, maintaining a healthy weight and allowing sufficient recovery can reduce unnecessary strain.
He also cautions against dismissing injuries such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears and meniscus damage, which can increase the risk of osteoarthritis later in life. Early diagnosis, appropriate treatment and structured rehabilitation are important in limiting long-term consequences.
“Being diagnosed with arthritis does not mean giving up sports, fitness, or the activities you love,” says Khan, speaking to Aletihad. “In fact, regular and appropriately planned physical activity is one of the most effective ways to manage arthritis, improve joint function, and maintain overall health. The key is to understand the condition and adapt sporting activities according to the severity of arthritis, pain levels, and physical capabilities.”
Swimming, cycling, walking and controlled strength training can help maintain mobility without placing excessive stress on affected joints, Khan added.
Physiotherapy and medical treatment may also help patients manage pain and retain their independence. The approach should be adjusted according to the joints involved, the severity of symptoms and periods of inflammation, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all exercise routine.
For former netball player Kirstie Melville, 40, the challenge was learning when to step away from the sport she had loved since childhood.
The head of primary physical education at Sharjah English School began playing netball at seven. Persistent pain while playing and running initially seemed like a consequence of an active lifestyle, but a diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis and fibromyalgia changed her perspective.
Early support from her rheumatologist helped her understand the conditions and make informed decisions about her long-term health. Rather than abandoning exercise altogether, she turned to gentler activities and regular walks.
“As someone from a sporting background, I firmly believe that any form of movement benefits both body and mind,” Melville said.
Her experience reflects the balance experts advocate: recognising when pain requires medical attention, adapting physical activity and avoiding the assumption that a diagnosis must bring an end to an active life.
