DID you do a lot of kneeling on the job? You could be at risk of osteoarthritis.
Researchers from University of Sydney, Oxford and Southhampton have conducted a major review into knee osteoarthritis and have identified the common jobs - paid and unpaid - that may be putting people unknowingly at risk.
Stay-at-home parents, cleaners, blue-collar workers more likely to develop the painful condition can can lead to knee surgery, pain and loss of mobility.
Floor-layers, bricklayers and carpenters have 2.5 times increased odds compared to sedentary workers, while agricultural workers had up to 64% increased odds; and builders and construction workers had increased odds of 63%.
Unpaid houseworkers had up to 93% increased odds.
Occupations like commerce, forestry or fishery workers, machine operators, plumbers, electricians, technicians, postmen were not found to be statistically significantly associated with knee osteoarthritis.
Excessive kneeling, squatting, standing, lifting and climbing stairs were some of the activities that contributed to the increased risk.
Knee replacements are a huge burden on society and individuals from all walks of life. A major global systematic review
It is the biggest meta-analysis and systematic review of the potentially debilitating knee osteoarthritis - comprising 71 studies and almost one million people - and the first systematic review into the association between job 'titles' and the condition.
Increased risk was found in agriculture workers, construction workers, miners, service workers, stay-at-home parents and cleaners.
Senior author David Hunter from University of Sydney said the research, while not focusing on the important role of exercise in combatting this common lifestyle ailment, identified the jobs that placed high-to-moderate stress on vulnerable knees.
"Knee osteoarthritis is a leading cause of loss of work and disability worldwide and can necessitate invasive surgery including total knee replacement, so preventing occupational hazards is critical," Professor Hunter said.
"The burden is increasing, with projections of osteoarthritis that affects one in eight people jumping 50 percent within 15 years, in large part attributable to lifestyle issues such as growing rates of obesity and reduced exercise."