| Recreational exercisers have a much lower incidence | | | | It is amazing how many coaches and exercise |
| of knee replacements than their non-exercising peers. | | | | instructors preach mental toughness and the ability to |
| One study from Finland showed that the more years | | | | exercise through pain, when this kind of thinking |
| a person exercised, the less likely he was to require | | | | often results in catastrophic injuries that damage |
| a knee replacement (Rheumatology, Volume 40, | | | | million-dollar athletes permanently. When a pain |
| 2001). Regular exercise strengthens bones and joints | | | | worsens as you exercise, go home so you can |
| and helps to prevent damage to the joints. | | | | exercise again another day. |
| Yet other studies have shown that former | | | | If you have damaged cartilage in your knee at any |
| competitive athletes have the highest rate of knee | | | | age, you need to protect that knee for the rest of |
| replacements. Athletic competition requires a person | | | | your life. Running and jumping cause further damage, |
| to compete on preset days, whether he is injured or | | | | while cycling or swimming usually do not. When the |
| not. Competition requires year-round training and | | | | knee hurts all the time, your doctor will check to see |
| athletes hate to take days off, so they often train | | | | how much cartilage is left. When it's gone, it's time |
| and compete while injured. | | | | for a knee replacement. |