For thousands of UAE residents, the slow crawl between Dubai and Sharjah is more than a test of patience, it may be quietly hurting their health. Medical experts are now warning that those long, motionless minutes behind the wheel could be taking a serious toll on commuters’ knees.

According to leading knee specialist Dr Azam Badar Khan, popularly known as Dr Knee, early knee pain and stiffness are becoming increasingly common among regular drivers stuck in daily congestion. What should ideally be a quick 30-minute trip often becomes a marathon commute well over an hour, and that prolonged immobility comes with consequences.

“Keeping your knees locked in one position for too long compresses the joint,” Dr Khan explains. 

“Over time, this leads to pain, swelling, and early degeneration, and we’re seeing this now even in people as young as 35.”

The routine grind between Dubai, Sharjah, and the Northern Emirates places constant, repetitive strain on drivers: accelerator–brake movements, limited opportunities to stretch, and steady pressure on the knee joint from sitting too long. 

Dr Khan says more than 40 per cent of his patients are between 30 and 50 years old, many of whom spend one to two hours a day in their cars. Over time, these long periods of inactivity weaken the quadriceps, the key muscle supporting the knee, making joints more vulnerable to injury and chronic discomfort.

But it’s not all bad news. Dr Knee stresses that a few simple adjustments can make a surprisingly big difference. Ensuring your seat is positioned so your knees don’t sit higher than your hips, avoiding overextension while driving, and taking quick “micro-breaks” to flex or gently stretch the legs can help restore circulation and reduce pressure. Strengthening the supporting muscles with just a few minutes of daily exercise also provides vital protection, while maintaining a healthy weight helps reduce unnecessary strain.

And there’s one post-commute habit Dr Khan wants drivers to ditch immediately: sitting cross-legged at home. After hours of knee compression in traffic, he says, this position only worsens stiffness and slows recovery.

“Traffic may be part of life here, but knee damage doesn’t have to be,” Dr Khan says.

Through his initiative, Let’s Walk Again with Dr Knee, he continues to push for early awareness and intervention. Upcoming knee-health camps and free check-ups across Dubai aim to help residents spot warning signs sooner, long before everyday activities become difficult.

“Prevention is always better than cure,” he adds. 

“Don’t wait for the pain to take over.”

The UAE’s Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) has issued a fresh investor alert, warning the public about two companies operating without the required licences.

In a statement on Friday, December 12, the authority identified XC Market Limited and XCE Commercial Brokers LLC as unlicensed entities, noting that both firms are conducting financial activities without SCA approval.

The regulator stressed that the companies are not authorised to carry out regulated investment services or offer any related financial products in the UAE. It also clarified that it bears no responsibility for any transactions conducted with the firms.

The warning follows a series of recent alerts as part of the SCA’s ongoing push to combat fraudulent operators. Earlier this month, the authority cautioned investors about Global Capital Securities Trading, which was posing as a licensed trading firm. On December 3, it also flagged an entity calling itself the Gulf Higher Authority for Financial Conduct, which was found using a misleading website and falsely claiming regulatory status.

The SCA reiterated that investors should verify the licensing status of any company before engaging in financial dealings, as the regulator continues monitoring for unlicensed operators and cloned platforms targeting the UAE market.

Private-sector employees across the UAE will enjoy a long weekend to ring in 2026, with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) confirming that Thursday, 1 January 2026, will be an official paid holiday.

The announcement comes in line with the UAE Cabinet’s approved list of public holidays for both government and private-sector workers.

Since New Year’s Day falls on a Thursday, private-sector offices will resume work on Friday, January 2, 2026.

Public sector schedule

The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources has also confirmed the holiday for federal government employees. Federal ministries and entities will be closed on Thursday, with Friday, January 2, 2026, designated as a remote-work day, except for roles that require on-site presence.

Sharjah authorities have also announced the New Year holiday in line with the national schedule.

The unified holiday ensures residents across the UAE can welcome the new year with a mid-week break and extended family time.