At What Age Do Joints Begin to Ache More?

When Austrian snowboarder Benjamin Karl won Olympic gold at the Winter Olympics at age 40, he offered a reminder that aging does not always follow the expected script, even in a sport that can be hard on the body. People often hear warnings that joint pain will begin at 30, 40, 50, or 60. In truth, there is no single age when joints suddenly start hurting, although by the time many people reach their 60s, knee pain is common.

One of the leading causes of joint pain is osteoarthritis, a condition in which cartilage wears down and bones begin rubbing against each other. That friction can lead to pain ranging from mild discomfort to severe aching. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, and its prevalence rises with age. According to the CDC, about 3.6% of adults ages 18 to 34 have osteoarthritis, compared with 53.9% of adults over 75.

By age 65, about half of people show signs of knee osteoarthritis on imaging, and most people have experienced joint pain or are dealing with it at that point. Healthy habits can help support joint health as you get older, but some factors, including your biomechanics, may make certain injuries more likely regardless of how careful you are.

Why joint pain becomes more common with age

Several common causes of joint pain become more likely over time, including arthritis, previous injuries, and inflammatory conditions. Osteoarthritis is the best-known form of arthritis, but there are more than 100 others, including rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks healthy joint tissue, and it is often diagnosed between ages 65 and 80. Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis that affects about 20% of people with psoriasis and most often appears between ages 30 and 60, with diagnoses peaking closer to 60.

Past injuries can also lead to joint pain years later. The more years a person has lived, the more time there has been for injuries to build up. Pain may come directly from degenerative changes linked to an old injury or indirectly from biomechanical changes, such as altered walking patterns. Age-related conditions such as osteoporosis can also raise the risk of serious injuries involving bones, muscles, or connective tissue.

Many inflammatory conditions that cause joint pain are also most common in middle age and later adulthood. Gout usually develops after menopause in women and in middle age in men. Some non-physical causes of joint pain, such as fibromyalgia, are typically diagnosed in young to middle-aged adults.

Ways to lower the risk of joint pain over time

Some causes of joint pain cannot be controlled, or can only be partly controlled, but healthy habits can help reduce risk. Excess body weight is one factor linked to osteoarthritis because it adds stress to the joints. A balanced diet and regular exercise can help keep weight in a healthier range.

Staying active can also strengthen muscles and connective tissue, easing the load on joints. Weight-bearing exercises such as walking, running, and dancing can support joint health. For people with injuries that make high-impact exercise difficult, swimming or water aerobics may be gentler options because water buoyancy reduces pressure on the joints.

Everyone's body is different, and some people are more prone to certain musculoskeletal injuries because of the way they are built or move. For instance, walking with the toes turned outward may place extra strain on the knees. If joint pain develops, it is wise to consult a healthcare professional to find the best way to manage symptoms. Many people also benefit from working with a physical or occupational therapist.