Falling sick and being looked after is part of the life and we all look forward to the recovery. Resumption of preinjury or illness routine has become the endpoint of healing process rather than absence of symptoms. Bed rest is no more the recommendation on prescriptions. “Move it or loose it” is the motto as its feared that 25% of the body mass is lost by 70 yrs age even in active elderlies making them loose their mobility to the extent that they become dependent on someone to take them to hospital. This is the most fearful aspect of getting old, i.e. loss of independent mobility.

So often medical professsionals hear the elderly parents giving excuse of missing their followup visit as kids were busy. Parents would rather miss their appointment with doctor than ask their children to take out time from their hectic professional and personal life. Data suggests that keeping mobile, even with painful hips and knees is crucial. That’s the reason almost 50% of patients after hip fractures have poor outcome after one year. Hence hip fractures are also treated like ‘Heart Attacks” and early surgical intervention is encouraged to mobilise the patient within 24 hours.

The key to maintain ones independent mobility as one ages is to “keep moving”. Any bone and joint pain should be evaluated by specialist. Baseline investigations like xrays and lab parameters are obtained and records kept for future comparison. Some life style modifications are recommended. Exercises may be changed to avoid stress on painful joint, stick support may be advised. But rest is strongly condemened as a treatment for painful knees if independent mobility is to be maintained.