Top tips to keep knees in good working order

As we age, our joints naturally go through wear and tear, and for lots of people over 50, the knees are often the first to feel the strain. Whether it's due to past injuries, arthritis or simply decades of daily use, maintaining strong, pain-free knees becomes essential for staying mobile and independent. These practical and expert-backed tips will help support knee health into your 50s and beyond...

- By CAMILLA FOSTER

As we age, our joints naturally go through wear and tear, and for lots of people over 50, the knees are often the first to feel the strain. Whether it's due to past injuries, arthritis or simply decades of daily use, maintaining strong, pain-free knees becomes essential for staying mobile and independent. These practical and expert-backed tips will help support knee health into your 50s and beyond...

Maintain a healthy weight

"The top tip no one wants to hear is that you have to make sure that you are of normal weight," says Neil Bradbury, orthopaedic surgeon and knee specialist at Sulis Hospital in Bath. "The whole of the body is designed to take a certain amount of weight and if you carry more weight, you wear out your joints more quickly."

Stay active

"It's important to remember that the knee is part of the body, and the body needs to be looked after," says Neil. "So, everybody needs to do enough exercise every week to keep themselves healthy. Cycling or swimming are particularly good."

Adapt the exercise you're doing