Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) and other disorders of the musculoskeletal system are the most frequently reported causes of impairment affecting the elderly population. The goal of this study was to find out how common primary osteoarthritis of the knee is in people younger than 40 in post covid era and to find out its etiological factors, what are the treatment options

Materials & Methods: 200 patients in the department of Orthopaedics in the Govt. Medical College, Amritsar of either sex coming to the OPD of the department with a chief complaint of knee pain were the subjects of the study. Cases were assessed and subjected to an AP view of both knees in a standing position. Parameters such as height, weight, and BMI were recorded. Cases were divided as per the Kellgren-Lawrence grading system.

Results: Out of the total of 200 cases observed, 64% were in the age group (35-40) years, 28% were in the age group (30–34) years, and 8% were in the age group (25-29) years. There were 44 males and 156 females. 74% of the cases had a BMI of 24.9 kg/m2, 26% had a BMI of 18.9 to 24.9 kg/m2, and none had a BMI of less than 18.9 kg/m2. Primary osteoarthritis of the knee was present in 112 and absent in 88. Out of the 112 cases of OA, 60 (45.4%) had predominantly right-side knee involvement, while 16(12.1%) had left-knee involvement. 56(42.4%) had bilateral knee involvement. Bilateral cases had similar KL grading on both sides. 20 (10%) cases had KL grade I, 32 (16%) had KL grade II, 72 (36%), and 8 (4%) had KL grade IV. Grades II and III combined constituted 52% of cases. 60 (53.5%) had predominantly sitting, squatting, or kneeling as a household habit. 48 (42.8%) cases had to stand as a household habit, while 4 (3.5%) cases had nothing specific as a predominant household habit. There were 40 cases of housewives, 4 cases of skilled workers, 16 cases of tailors, 4 cases of traders, 30 cases of housemaids, 2 cases of teachers, 4 cases of nurses, and 4 cases of paramedics.

Conclusion: OA knee is a significant contributor to pain and disability and poses a severe burden on the economy. Primary prevention of knee OA should become a major aim of health care. Covid 19 will also have its effects on the increased incidence which will require more detailed study.