Bipasha Basu was told she may never dance again: What young adults should know about osteoarthritis

In a recent press interaction, actress Bipasha Basu disclosed that she was diagnosed with osteoarthritis at the young age of seven, warning her that she might no longer be able to dance or perform action sequences. Osteoarthritis, often linked to aging, can indeed affect younger adults as well, particularly those with risk factors such as previous joint injuries, high-impact activities, obesity, family history, abnormal joint structure, muscle weakness, and chronic inflammatory conditions.

While the condition involves the gradual breakdown of cartilage and tissues around the joints, younger patients can still maintain mobility and function through a proper diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and lifestyle modifications. Dr. Aashish Chaudhry, Director & Head of Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement at Aakash Healthcare, emphasizes that early intervention with appropriate treatment can help manage the condition.

Regular, appropriate exercise, including low-impact activities like walking, swimming, cycling, yoga, and supervised strength training, is crucial for managing osteoarthritis. While large cartilage loss may not be fully reversible, the disease's progression can be slowed, and symptoms managed through a healthy body weight, regular physiotherapy, muscle-strengthening exercises, and avoiding excessive stress on affected joints.

In severe cases, joint replacement surgery may be considered to significantly improve mobility and quality of life.