CAN I RUN WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS?
These are a few questions that I get asked at least once a week at the clinic. Either ‘can I run if I have knee osteoarthritis?’ or ‘has running caused my knee osteoarthritis?’.
Lets take one question at a time.
1) Can I run if I have knee osteoarthritis?
Yes you can. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition with the main symptoms being pain and or stiffness. Why we develop osteoarthritis is influenced by many factors including genetic , lifestyle, other health issues and also history of injury in the knee itself. In the vast majority of cases running will not make the osteoarthritis worse but it can be uncomfortable or even painful to do due to the impact on the joint. Some people find running on treadmills, in water, or on softer ground better as it reduces the impact and running and hard or undulating surfaces more painful. Also, having strong surrounding musculature in the legs (especially the quadriceps) will help considerably in improving the stability of the knee.
So no, a diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis does not mean you have to give up running. But some thought might be needed on where and how long you run for if you have knee osteoarthritis pain.
2) Has running caused my knee osteoarthritis?
The short answer is probably not. A common thing we hear from clients when attending with knee pain is the declaration that they have been lifetime runners so it is not surprising that they have developed osteoarthritis. However, there is more and more evidence coming out that running does not cause knee osteoarthritis. Research studies carried out in 2017 and 2018 actually show that runners seem to have lower rates of knee and hip osteoarthritis than normal population. Some studies have also shown carrying out regular weight bearing exercise, such as running, is better for the bone health. This is particularly important in clients over a certain age who may have issues with bone density such as post menopausal women and those with osteoporosis.
If you feel you need more support and advice we would be happy to see you in the clinic for a full assessment or we are available for a 15 minute telephone call for advice. Just head to https://williams-physiotherapy-group.uk2.cliniko.com/bookings to make a booking.
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