Should i run with osteoarthritis

Jane Fitzgerald was a frequent long-distance runner who at 40 years old, was diagnosed with OA. She had a fall while out shopping one day and injured her left knee. She took some time off but when she got back into running found that at 14kms her knee would begin hurting. She had an MRI scan and was told to not run again by multiple people. Through specialist opinion she was told she should have an arthroscopy if she ever wanted to run again. Jane was devastated.

Not only was running her favourite activity, but it was also a big part of her social life as she had met several friends through it. Jane tried other ways to remain active but struggled to find a connection or enjoy anything else as much. Luckily, a friend recommended Jane see physiotherapist who specialises in running injuries Dr Christian Barton , a physio therapists and researcher at La Trobe University.

It's great that you're trying to keep as active as possible — working out at the gym and Tai Chi are much more likely to be helping your hips than harming them. And I'm sure you would be having a lot more problems with your joints were it not for the exercise you have been doing for many years. Some input from a physiotherapist may lead to some improvement in your symptoms and give some guidance on other types of exercises that will be beneficial for you.

In which case, it might be coming from the hip joint itself. If the pain is felt on the outside of your hip, at the side of the leg, it may be caused by a condition known as greater trochanteric pain syndrome also known as trochanteric bursitis. This is associated with hip osteoarthritis, but can respond well to an injection of steroid and local anaesthetic, combined with some specific exercises.

Q I'm 44, and due to some depression last year I started walking everywhere. Has any research been done — and if so what are the results — of people who have walked most of their life and do they develop arthritis and suffer in old age, more so than people who've never walked? Does walking cause arthritis in itself? I've been diagnosed with osteopenia due to one of the epilepsy drugs I've taken for 37 years, and have to take vitamin D and calcium supplements to aid the bone strength.

Do you think I'm aiding the bones now anyway by walking everywhere? I'm not worrying about old age — just curious to know if walking in earlier years makes arthritis worse.

It won't stop me walking everywhere whatever the results — because I'm hooked on it now and do about 44 miles a week. A That's certainly a good number of miles to walk on a weekly basis. The link between sport, running and arthritis has been investigated extensively. I'm not sure that this has been done for people who only walk but I would think the situation is comparable. In short because I could use this whole page to answer your question there's no evidence that moderate exercise harms the joints.

Indeed there's evidence that it's good for the joints, muscles and bones. And, of course, it's also good for the heart and lungs. Only if the joints are injured, such as with football players, does the association between exercise and damage become apparent. So, my advice is to carry on walking. Find out more about exercising with arthritis and what types of exercises are beneficial for certain conditions.

Versus Arthritis About arthritis Your experiences Your questions answered Your questions on walking and running. Your questions on walking and running. Print this page. Can walking make my arthritis worse? Should you run with osteoarthritis of the facet joints? Sylvia, via email - A Well, you have asked a believer! Will a km trek make my osteoarthritis worse? Val - A It looks like you are someone with a good base level of fitness, but the event you've signed up for would be a very serious undertaking for anyone.

Will I still be able to go hiking with osteoarthritis? Angela - A All our joints, including those affected by osteoarthritis, need to move to maintain their function. Will running mean I'll need a hip replacement sooner? I want to go out running, but not sure what to do? Michelle, via email - A The question here is whether running will make you need hip replacements sooner, and whether the health benefits of exercise outweigh this. That said, some simple principles apply: Make sure to warm up and warm down properly.

Start off with short runs and build up gradually to longer distances. It's worth going to a running shop to get trainers that will help correct any issues you have with your foot position. Consider doing some core stability work to give you the stable platform of core fitness you need to avoid injury. Will walking and exercise make osteoarthritis worse?

Diana - A I'm pinning my colours to the mast here: from now on, I'm taking a zero-tolerance position on the phrase 'wear and tear' — so let's hear no more of it from doctors as well as everyone else!

Movement will help to: prevent stiffness keep the joint moving through its full range keep the muscles strong around the joint.

In turn, this will help to prevent symptoms getting worse. Can walking cause arthritis? Amanda, West London - A That's certainly a good number of miles to walk on a weekly basis. Have not run since as the left knee is still a problem. This was about 8 years ago and I am now I cannot understand how I can go from running 3 miles a day for years to this stage of OA virtually overnight. About 3 years ago I fell hard on my left knee and it was black and blue for a while but felt much better for the next few weeks like I had knocked something back into place.

I have always thought there may be something other than, or in addition to OA. But next day same cycle repeats. Should I stop running? Your email address will not be published.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Different Sources of Pain Be sure to pay attention to any new pain—something other than OA could be exacerbating your existing pain. Always consult a doctor for any new or concerning pain.