Chronic knee pain or knee osteoarthritis is associated with increased absence, according to a systematic review. Further, there is limited evidence for an association between knee pain and presenteeism; and between knee pain, high job demands/low co-worker support and higher rates of absence for nurses in particular.
Agaliotis M et al. “Burden of reduced work productivity among people with chronic knee pain: a systematic review”, Occupational & Environment Medicine, first published online 28 May 2014.