Knee damage later in life from running

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Question:

Poor running mechanics is the primary contributer to knee problems.

I agree with you but would add … its more "bio-mechanics" than mechanics … meaning, it more the "way" you were born that affects your running style … but, you can improve it, change your training to suit your body, and buy shoes that will limit your weaknesses. Roy, Runner since ‘71

Response:

How long have you been running , and is your condition solely attributed to running ? Have you had it looked at internally ? Tell your dentist to stick to tooth pulling ! get some more opinions.

I have been running off and on for 8 years…I initially had the pain a year and a half ago while ramping up my mileage, playing volleyball, and weightlifting. I think the condition is attributed mostly to the fact that I have patellofemoral syndrome and "congenital laxity". That is, I am more flexible than most people (for example I can bend my thumb back to touch my wrist). I am on my third orthopedic surgeon. #1 was a flake, #2 scoped my knee last September and said I only had a little chondromalacia and that my meniscus was fine, and #3 finally listened to me and took another MRI, and the cartilage damage was pretty evident. I am now in physical therapy, and my therapist says I have to give up running "for a while" until I get stronger…this gives me some hope that he will tell me that running low mileage is ok after I go through all of the therapy. Thanks, and I hope to get better soon! Martha – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Good luck Steve Hi all, I am 25 years old and have degenerating knee cartilage in my left knee (arthritis). I am currently in physical therapy to help regain some quad strength to hopefully protect my knee from further damage. My physical therapist says that my running is the worst thing for my knees, but I don’t really want to give it up. Of course I also want to keep what’s left of my knee cartilage, so I am not sure what to do. Does anyone know of any studies or have personal stories about the impact of running on arthritic knees? How much damage does running really do if you keep it up all of your life? I even had my dentist tell me to give up running because it is so bad on the knees. How much impact does form have on knee injuries/degeneration? I really enjoy running, and although it looks like I will never be able to run a marathon (which I have always wanted to do), I just don’t want to give up running altogether. Thanks, Martha — http://www.wolds-veteran-rc.freeserve.co.uk Running Club based in Grimsby, N.E.Lincs, England.

Response:

Hi all, I am 25 years old and have degenerating knee cartilage in my left knee (arthritis). I am currently in physical therapy to help regain some quad strength to hopefully protect my knee from further damage. My physical therapist says that my running is the worst thing for my knees, but I don’t really want to give it up. Of course I also want to keep what’s left of my knee cartilage, so I am not sure what to do. Does anyone know of any studies or have personal stories about the impact of running on arthritic knees? How much damage does running really do if you keep it up all of your life? I even had my dentist tell me to give up running because it is so bad on the knees. How much impact does form have on knee injuries/degeneration? I really enjoy running, and although it looks like I will never be able to run a marathon (which I have always wanted to do), I just don’t want to give up running altogether. Thanks, Martha

Response:

Hi Martha, I’d suggest you check out www.arthritis.org and then search for a doctor and or theraphist in you area who specializes in arthritis. While running itself won’t increase the risk of developing arthritis in a healthy individual it is possible that it could speed the progress of the disease in an already affected joint. Good luck, Tom

: Hi all, : I am 25 years old and have degenerating knee cartilage in my left knee : (arthritis). I am currently in physical therapy to help regain some : quad strength to hopefully protect my knee from further damage. My : physical therapist says that my running is the worst thing for my knees, : but I don’t really want to give it up. Of course I also want to keep : what’s left of my knee cartilage, so I am not sure what to do. : Does anyone know of any studies or have personal stories about the : impact of running on arthritic knees? How much damage does running : really do if you keep it up all of your life? I even had my dentist : tell me to give up running because it is so bad on the knees. How much : impact does form have on knee injuries/degeneration? I really enjoy : running, and although it looks like I will never be able to run a : marathon (which I have always wanted to do), I just don’t want to give : up running altogether. : Thanks, : Martha

Response:

How much damage does running really do if you keep it up all of your life?

I don’t know the answer to how much damage running does to damaged knees. But, I have seen studies proving that running does not cause arthritic knees. Jack

Response:

Non-runners will generally hold the above opinion about running and knee problems. As will some runners. Does anyone know of any studies or have personal stories about the impact of running on arthritic knees? How much damage does running really do if you keep it up all of your life? I even had my dentist tell me to give up running because it is so bad on the knees. How much impact does form have on knee injuries/degeneration? I really enjoy

Form is EVERYTHING. Poor running mechanics is the primary contributer to knee problems. Many non-runners once ran and had knee problems. Hence, running damages knees. Cause – effect; by anecdote and memory of personal misfortune. As another poster said, if the knee(s) are already damaged, AND form is the cause of said damage, it will get worse unless a form correction program is undertaken and completed (successfully). running, and although it looks like I will never be able to run a marathon (which I have always wanted to do), I just don’t want to give up running altogether. Thanks, Martha

Meanwhile, check out this site, along with the "arthritis.org" link posted already: http://www.drtheo.com/ HTH — Denny - Before you buy.

Response:

I have just had arthroscopy on my left knee for a torn cartilage. My mileage over the last 20 years has probably averaged 40 mpw+. I have ran on most surfaces during this time, including many mountain races and 13 marathons. The surgeon had a good look around and didn’t find any major degenerative wear, maybe no more than most people approaching 50. 6 weeks later, back to a sub 30 min 5 mile race ! How long have you been running , and is your condition solely attributed to running ? Have you had it looked at internally ? Tell your dentist to stick to tooth pulling ! get some more opinions. Good luck Steve – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, I am 25 years old and have degenerating knee cartilage in my left knee (arthritis). I am currently in physical therapy to help regain some quad strength to hopefully protect my knee from further damage. My physical therapist says that my running is the worst thing for my knees, but I don’t really want to give it up. Of course I also want to keep what’s left of my knee cartilage, so I am not sure what to do. Does anyone know of any studies or have personal stories about the impact of running on arthritic knees? How much damage does running really do if you keep it up all of your life? I even had my dentist tell me to give up running because it is so bad on the knees. How much impact does form have on knee injuries/degeneration? I really enjoy running, and although it looks like I will never be able to run a marathon (which I have always wanted to do), I just don’t want to give up running altogether. Thanks, Martha

– http://www.wolds-veteran-rc.freeserve.co.uk Running Club based in Grimsby, N.E.Lincs, England.

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