Running and osteoarthritis risk introduction It is inevitable that you will encounter a few different questions as a sports medicine provider that you should be able to provide an updated perspective on.
Running and osteoarthritis risk introduction It is inevitable that you will encounter a few different questions as a sports medicine provider that you should be able to provide an updated perspective on. One of these questions will likely be: โI was told running was bad for my knees, is that true?โ This post will provide an updated review on that question. Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a serious disease characterized by structural breakdown of the knee joint and is the third fastest growing disease globally.
To address the growing burden of this disease, it is crucial that healthcare providers are able to recognize, and intervene on, key risk factors of knee OA. Knee OA is seen radiographically in 33% of the population >60 years, although there is considerable discordance between joint symptoms and radiographic findings. The prevalence of symptomatic knee OA (SOA) in adults >60 years is approximately 10% in men and 13% in women.
Age, obesity, occupation, and trauma to the joint because of repetitive movements such as kneeling or squatting have been identified as several risk factors for knee OA. Other factors, including cytokines, leptin, and mechanical forces, are pathogenic components of knee OA. However, the association between physical activity such as running and the development of knee OA is less transparent, as some believe running increases the risk of knee OA, while others believe it is protective.This uncertainty serves as an important barrier to providers recommending PA.
Al is cited frequently which showed moderate to low quality evidence suggesting there is no association with osteoarthritis diagnosis. Another commonly cited review by Quicke et. Another recent review in 2022 concluded that adults with severe knee OA or symptoms can engage in PA without increasing their knee pain.
In which adults with mild to severe knee OA were randomly assigned to either a low-intensity or high-intensity structured cycling program (25 minutes/session, three sessions/week over 10 weeks). Neither program increased acute pain per the visual analog scale (VAS), which was administered before and after each cycling session, and on a daily basis. Focused on adults with severe knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence [KL] Grade IV) and randomly assigned them to either a structured walking program (walking at a moderate intensity for 70 minutes week over 12 weeks) or usual care (i.e., pain management).
If you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to running and osteoarthritis risk, it is important to see a sports medicine physician. Early evaluation and treatment typically lead to better outcomes. Do not ignore pain or symptoms that are limiting your activity.
*This article is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.*
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