Missing my runs

Hi everyone.

I started the C25K a year ago and succeeded in completely it then on to try 10k and again completed the 10k. I was so happy with my achievements and throughly enjoyed it and I felt physically and mentally good. By September I was able to run 7.5 miles and at a good pace, I did all the recommendations leg strengthening, warm ups and cool downs. By the end of September I developed knee pain in both legs one more than the other to the point I couldn’t put my foot on the ground without excruciating pain I was referred to a knee specialist and within a month was seen to be told after a X-ray that I have the onset of arthritis and I was given a cortisone injection in the worst knee which has helped a lot. I have got to the stage now that I can walk up to 10mile (another interest of mine) but I’m still aware of my knees are not quite right, maybe this is it no more running which I love and would like to get back to it.

Does anyone out there have arthritis that could share some advice?

[Hidden]

Question, is it rheumatic arthritis or is it arthrosis? There is a difference between the 2 and I know that in England they call arthrosis (the breaking down of the tissue) also arthritis (a decease in which your immune system attacks your own body). I for example have rheumatic arthritis and I get 4-weekly IV's against it, which turn off my immune system.

If it is rheumatic arthritis, I would suggest to visit a rheumatologist, a specialist who can help with treatments and medication. With rheumatic arthritis the ultimate goal is to not have pain anymore with the help of treatments.

If it is arthrosis, then I can't help, sorry...

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for that information unfortunately I have Osteoarthritis it’s my age wear and tear 😢

[Roxdog Graduate10]

I have osteoarthritis in both knees. I'm 62 and had a big flare up at 58, about 18 months before I started cto5k. I was using a walking stick. It wasn't as intense as you've described, but I did wonder if it would ever improve.Following lots of knee strengthening work, it did improve and I tentatively started cto5k on a treadmill initially because I was very nervous about how my knees would cope.

Despite the odd niggle, my knees are better than they've ever been. I've had plenty of other injuries, but my knees are holding up.

I think the jury's out on running and knee arthritis. There was a long thread on this issue on the forum a while ago about it. Everyone is different, but you might find that once you're over this flare up you'll be fine to run. Different doctors/physios will give different advice about if it's a good idea though. Perhaps explain to a physio what you want to do and maybe you can get some good advice. I rarely run on pavements to avoid impact, so that's one tip.

Good luck,

[Hidden in reply to Roxdog]

Thank you it’s good to hear other people’s experiences who have the same condition with the same interest it gives me hope and confidence to try again. I have just started leg strengthening exercises again to build up my legs to support my knees, then I will give it ago in a couple of weeks.Thanks again I appreciate your response. 😊

[Roxdog Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I've also just noticed that your tests showed the 'onset' of arthritis, so hopefully it's at the early stages, so there is lots of hope for you to get running again. I think that the stronger legs you develop through running help to protect your knees!

[pepecat in reply to Hidden]

Definitely do Squats, balance exercises and working with weights to strengthen your leg 'scaffolding'. I've had severe rheumatoid disease plus osteoarthritis since I was 40. I was told that my knees would need replacing 7 years ago. In desperation, I started exercising with a great trainer twice a week for the past 6 years, I completed Couch to 5k a year ago, and I'm presently repeating it (week6) with no knee issues. I'll be 73 next week.

[Hidden in reply to pepecat]

Wow you are inspirational. Thank you

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

There is very little evidence that running is bad for knee arthritis.

Infact it has been suggested that recreational running can improve the symptoms by strengthening the knees.

This may be a helpful place to start .

google.com/amp/s/www.newswi...

[Hidden in reply to Instructor57]

Thank you that has given me some hope. I’ve started doing some strengthening exercises which I will do for a couple of weeks as well as getting a few miles in walking then I will attempt running again. 👍😊

[Instructor57 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

No problem, I used to get quite bad knee pain on long walks , since I started running it has been a lot better .It was never diagnosed but I do have arthritis in in my neck and hands so I assume it probably is !

Here is s link to the NHS knee strengthening exercises that are included in the C25K program guide .

Hope it helps .

nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/k...

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10]

I've got an arthritic knee too. The strengthening exercises are incredibly effective if you do them as instructed. My last flare up was 5 or so years back. I'd been attempting a stupid plank challenge and discovered I could hold it for a minute or more. Nobody told me that this puts a huge strain on the knees and can be really bad for you. You live and learn. I couldn't walk down slopes or stairs without excruciating pain and an x-ray confirmed the diagnosis.

I paid for a private physio who did electrical stimulation and ultrasound as well as giving me exercises and after about 6 weeks everything was back to normal or even better. In the meantime I chucked out all my high heels, which I think helped.

I started C25K last March, I had some niggles at the beginning which were solved by taking a couple of ibuprofen before bed. I always do warm up and cool down stretches and avoid running on hard surfaces if I can.

If I have to do a plank (for core exercises) I rest on my knees and do it from there, as advised by the physio it's less damaging.

Good luck and I hope your pain goes quickly, having strong supporting muscles around your knees should really help.

[Hidden in reply to Yesletsgo]

Thank you for those tips I needed them and it’s good to know I’m not on my own with this condition and wanting to continue running.

[Hidden in reply to Yesletsgo]

You were planking in high heels. Blimey! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣.

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Yeah, right, plus full makeup, evening gown and a tiara 😂