Wimbledon serves reminder not to 'brush off' joint pain
As Wimbledon captures the nation’s attention, a leading knee specialist is urging Brits – especially tennis enthusiasts – not to neglect their joint health.
“Knees and hips are two of the hardest working joints in the body. They support nearly every movement we make, from walking and bending to sports like tennis or running. And yet, they’re often ignored when discomfort starts.”
Nurul Ahad, Medical Director at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Ilford
While tennis is a fantastic way to stay active and social, it’s also a sport that can place significant strain on hip and knee joints due to sharp pivots, sudden stops, and lunges – particularly on hard courts.
In fact, former GB tennis champion Andy Murray is no stranger to joint pain. During his 20-year career, he underwent multiple hip surgeries to treat chronic hip degeneration – including a joint resurfacing procedure. This allowed him to continue competing until he retired from professional tennis last year.
According to Sport England, over 250,000 people aged 55 and over now play tennis regularly. With more older adults picking up the racquet, the timing is ideal to raise awareness of joint care – especially for hips and knees which can take significant impact during a game, whatever your standard of play.
Mr Nural Ahad, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Medical Director at Practice Plus Group, says it’s crucial to look after our joints at any age and offers advice for those concerned: “Knees and hips are two of the hardest working joints in the body. They support nearly every movement we make, from walking and bending to sports like tennis or running. And yet, they’re often ignored when discomfort starts.”
It could be arthritis – don’t delay
Mr Ahad warns that many people don’t realise they’re living with symptoms of osteoarthritis, cartilage or ligament damage until the pain becomes difficult to ignore.
“If you’re feeling stiffness, swelling, or pain that doesn’t go away it could be more than just wear and tear. These can often be an early sign of arthritis. You might also notice your leg starting to bow slightly or that you’re struggling to climb stairs and have less range of movement. These aren’t things to brush off and are best checked as soon as possible.”
Movement is medicine
Mr Ahad says there is plenty that can be done to protect joints from choosing lower impact sports to supporting joints through building muscle strength. He continues:
“Movement is medicine. Low-impact exercises like cycling, swimming, and walking are incredibly effective in strengthening the surrounding muscles without overloading the joint. And for those already experiencing discomfort, it’s often about modifying – not stopping – your activity.
“It’s also important to work on muscle strength. Strong glutes, quads, and hamstrings act like shock absorbers for knees and hips. But when we stop exercising due to pain, those muscles weaken, which can make the problem worse. That’s why keeping up with strengthening and stretching is so important – even a few minutes a day at home can make a difference.”
“With timely joint surgery, you can avoid long-term damage and stay on the courts longer – just be sure to moderate your game and only begin playing again when you are fully recovered. Then think more gentle rallies rather than a Centre Court performance!”
Nurul Ahad, Medical Director at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Ilford
Support joints with a balanced diet
What you eat can also affect joint health – choosing a balanced diet and keeping weight in check can help keep budding tennis players in the game for longer. He says:
“Maintaining a healthy weight dramatically reduces the pressure on your joints. Every extra pound you carry can add several pounds of force to your joints with each step, so eating well is a must.
“There’s growing evidence that diets rich in omega-3s – like oily fish – along with olive oil, berries, leafy greens, and nuts, can support joint health. On the flip side, reducing processed foods and red meats may help ease inflammatory symptoms, especially in people with arthritis.
“Supplements can be beneficial for some too such as glucosamine, chondroitin, or collagen. While the science is mixed, they’re safe for most and may be worth trying if you’re struggling.”
Act sooner rather than later
If all else fails, Mr Ahad advises seeing a GP or consultant as soon as possible, as delaying can inevitably make the problem worse and may lead to further complications.
“Don’t ignore persistent knee pain – it could be your body asking for help. Early intervention, whether through physiotherapy, lifestyle changes, or in some cases, surgery, can make a big difference. With timely joint surgery, you can avoid long-term damage and stay on the courts longer – just be sure to moderate your game and only begin playing again when you are fully recovered. Then think more gentle rallies rather than a Centre Court performance!”
NHS patients in England can ask their GP for a referral to Practice Plus Group hospitals across the country under ‘Patient Choice’ – you don’t have to go to your local hospital if wait times are lengthy.
Private patients can self-refer for Wellsoon private healthcare from Practice Plus Group, which offers fast access to hip and knee surgery in just 4-6 weeks of seeing a consultant. Initial consultations cost £95 and include x-rays, bloods and swab tests.
