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Will my knee joint wear out if I exercise due to aging?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

My question is regarding exercise. I am a 45-year-old healthy male who is 60 kg in weight. I was climbing up and down 18 stairs for exercise, but the family physician cautioned me that this exercise would gradually wear out the knee joint as I age.

Now I am doing stationary exercise, standing in one place, I lift 2 kg dumbbells (a total of 4 kg). I lift the dumbbells above my head and then bring them down to touch my feet, so I nearly bend 160 to 170 degrees at the hip while trying to touch my feet, holding the dumbbells. I sweat profusely with this exercise. I do it for 30 minutes regularly and use a timer for precision. Do you feel it is a good exercise in the long run? Will this exercise strengthen my vertebral column, or will there be any other problems in the long run?

I have minor back discomfort in the lumbar area after doing dumbbells exercise for nearly a month. Will the pain subside as I continue to do the exercise? I love to do this exercise.

Do you feel climbing 18 steps up and down for 30 minutes per day would be okay in the long run? I do not have to go out of the house to do this exercise, and I have found it helps me cool down my thinking process and sleep better. Please give your opinion on the long-term effects of this exercise.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Anuj Gupta

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Anuj Gupta is an Orthopedic Surgeon who is specially trained in spine surgery. He completed his MBBS from The Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore, and MS in Orthopedics at Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, Kanpur. He did his DNB at Chatrapathi Shahu Ji Maharaj University. Currently, he is working in Triveni Ortho and Spine Center, Delhi, with work experience of 13 years. He has also done short training in spine surgery from the University of California, San Francisco, and Mount Sinai hospital, New York. He has also completed a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics from a renowned hospital in the USA.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

What is your job?

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thanks for your reply.

I work in a sedentary job, managing a team in a healthcare BPO.

Please suggest.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Anuj Gupta

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Anuj Gupta is an Orthopedic Surgeon who is specially trained in spine surgery. He completed his MBBS from The Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore, and MS in Orthopedics at Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, Kanpur. He did his DNB at Chatrapathi Shahu Ji Maharaj University. Currently, he is working in Triveni Ortho and Spine Center, Delhi, with work experience of 13 years. He has also done short training in spine surgery from the University of California, San Francisco, and Mount Sinai hospital, New York. He has also completed a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics from a renowned hospital in the USA.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

As far as your back is concerned, there are three things you need to take care of.

1. Since you have a sedentary job, proper posture is a must with aging. If you work on a laptop, then keep the screen at eye level. Use a suitable chair and table. Take frequent breaks after every 40 minutes, and do not slouch. Avoid watching television or using mobile devices for long periods in the wrong position.

2. General conditioning exercises are best for the back; this means walking, running, jogging, swimming, and dancing. So the minimum I tell all my patients are walking for 45 minutes at a stretch daily.

3. Back strengthening exercises, learn them from the internet, and do them for ten minutes daily.

Apart from these, whatever exercises you are doing, continue with that. There is no harm in doing any activity. But remember, for back general conditioning exercises are the most useful.

I hope this helps.

Kindly follow up if you have more concerns.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Anuj Gupta
Medically reviewed by Dr. Preetha. J
Published At November 3, 2020
Reviewed At December 10, 2025

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Anuj Gupta is an Orthopedic Surgeon who is specially trained in spine surgery. He completed his MBBS from The Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore, and MS in Orthopedics at Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, Kanpur. He did his DNB at Chatrapathi Shahu Ji Maharaj University. Currently, he is working in Triveni Ortho and Spine Center, Delhi, with work experience of 13 years. He has also done short training in spine surgery from the University of California, San Francisco, and Mount Sinai hospital, New York. He has also completed a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics from a renowned hospital in the USA.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Preetha J. is a proficient Dental Surgeon with expertise in cosmetic dentistry, restorative procedures, root canal treatments, and oral surgery. She is known for her gentle approach, precision, and commitment to patient comfort. Dr. Preetha combines advanced dental techniques with personalized care to ensure optimal oral health and aesthetic results, helping patients achieve confident, healthy smiles. Currently, she contributes her expertise as a valuable member of the medical reviewer team at iCliniq.com. 

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Anuj Gupta is an Orthopedic Surgeon who is specially trained in spine surgery. He completed his MBBS from The Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore, and MS in Orthopedics at Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, Kanpur. He did his DNB at Chatrapathi Shahu Ji Maharaj University. Currently, he is working in Triveni Ortho and Spine Center, Delhi, with work experience of 13 years. He has also done short training in spine surgery from the University of California, San Francisco, and Mount Sinai hospital, New York. He has also completed a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics from a renowned hospital in the USA.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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