| Is it a foregone conclusion, that if you run for years, | | | | runners. Some studies did show more evidence of |
| you will have arthritis? Many of my patients are | | | | osteophytes, but no correlation with joint pain or |
| concerned that the aches and pains that are | | | | instability. Confusing the issue for many runners are |
| inevitable from distance running are actually | | | | the numerous incidents of misdiagnosis of repetitive |
| harbingers for the future aches and pains of arthritis. | | | | stress injuries like patella-femoral syndrome as |
| This fear is even strong enough to get older runners | | | | arthritis. This is reversible and caused by abnormal |
| to quit and start a lower impact exercise regimen like | | | | tracking of the kneecap, which is treated with |
| swimming and cycling. Is this a reasonable fear? Yes | | | | physical therapy and orthotics. |
| and No! Running by itself does not cause arthritis; | | | | Joints are in fact strengthened by activity and |
| improper biomechanics coupled with the rigors of | | | | damaged by inactivity. Studies have shown that the |
| running can cause arthritis. | | | | articular cartilage actually thins and becomes more |
| Consider the stress of running on the joints for a | | | | fragile with inactivity, therefore increasing the risk of |
| minute. The foot hits the ground and the bones and | | | | arthritis. Joints adapt to the stress of exercise and |
| joints experience force up to six times the runner's | | | | become stronger and more able to endure the long |
| body weight at impact. The joints are being asked to | | | | term stress of running. Remember the doctor saying |
| move and glide efficiently and smoothly while | | | | to increase slowly? This is why. Ligaments and |
| enduring this stress. In the event of a misstep or | | | | muscles, which support the joints, are strengthened |
| stumble, the joints need to continue to be stable to | | | | and reinforced by the stresses of the running |
| maintain their perfect alignment. | | | | activity, improving joint mechanics, if the joints are |
| Osteoarthritis, a.k.a. "wear and tear arthritis", is what | | | | properly aligned. |
| runner's dread. This is degeneration of the articular | | | | Here is the truth about foot biomechanics. Proper |
| cartilage which absorbs shock, distributes stress and | | | | biomechanics during the strengthening process is |
| allows the joints to glide smoothly. The ability to run | | | | essential for joint health. Improper biomechanics can |
| pain free depends on the health and integrity of this | | | | increase the stress on the joints in an abnormal |
| cartilage as we age. In osteoarthritis, the surface of | | | | fashion and actually increase the incidence of |
| the cartilage becomes roughened, fissured and even | | | | osteoarthritis and hasten joint damage. |
| starts to shred into small fragments. These | | | | Bottom line? Running does not increase the incidence |
| fragments "float" around the joint and cause more | | | | of osteoarthritis unless the lower extremity |
| damage. The bone tries to protect itself by producing | | | | biomechanics are faulty. In fact, almost 75% of |
| small bony prominences called osteophytes which | | | | Americans over the age of 65 experience some |
| actually in the end make the joint damage and pain | | | | symptoms of osteoarthritis. This is not increased in |
| worse. | | | | runners. In fact, running may actually help with the |
| Any kind of sports participation can increase the | | | | symptoms of osteoarthritis. |
| incidence of osteoarthritis due to increased twisting | | | | The benefits associated with long distance running |
| forces, high impact, muscle weakness or | | | | profoundly overshadow the risk of osteoarthritis. In |
| over-development and joint instability which causes | | | | runners, orthotic devices to correct their |
| abnormal peak pressures and greater stress in certain | | | | biomechanics early in their training may actually |
| areas of cartilage which can lead to osteoarthritis. | | | | decrease the stress associated with increased |
| Nevertheless, for normal joints , there is no scientific | | | | osteoarthritis. If you have joint symptoms, see a |
| evidence that simply the action of running, even over | | | | sports medicine podiatrist today and have your gait |
| a long period of time, causes permanent joint | | | | realigned. Your joints will thank you. Remember, your |
| damage or even a predisposition for osteoarthritis. | | | | feet are meant to carry you for a lifetime. Don't let |
| What is the risk of osteoarthritis in runners? Many | | | | the fear of osteoarthritis rob you of the joy of a |
| studies of long-term runners show no increased | | | | lifetime of distance running! |
| incidence of osteoarthritis in these competitive | | | | |