Arthritis in the knees

[earl-grey-sian]

I have just developed mild arthritis in my left knee. At the moment it's just a gnawing ache and only flares up now and again. It doesn't seem to hurt when I'm moving at the moment. I've already got a bit of it in one wrists and two MCP joints, but it doesn't cause much trouble.

Anyway, to get to the point, does anyone else have arthritic knees, or know if running is going to damage them?

[katee1958 Graduate]

I had a cartilage problem in one of my knees and had surgery. The surgeon said at some point in the future, because of arthritis I may need a knee replacement. When I first get up in a morning am stiff and creaky etc etc but upto now the jogging/running hasn't adversely affected my knees. The only thing I have found is that I have to sometimes have 2 or 3 days rest in between runs, but it is no hardship.

I graduated yesterday, I am not a fast runner, but I can now do it for 30 mins when at the start of this I struggled to run for 60 secs.

Give it a try and take it easy, do what you can and listen to your body.

Good Luck xx

[earl-grey-sian Graduate in reply to katee1958]

Thanks Katee. I will keep running. If it behaves in the same way as my wrist and hand, it'll only bother me occasionally.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

I'd suggest (because I always do) staying off hard surfaces as much as possible and making sure you have your rest days.

[Phill-C]

G'day Katee58: 7 years ago I was scheduled for a knee replacement operation as at that time I could not walk with the arthritis in my knees. My right knee I could not bend at all. As my knee and I had been together for an awful long time and had done me good service during my army carrier and had never let me down I decided to that it was only fair to stick with the original knee. Today I walk 2 - 3 miles every day and use a gym 3 times a week. It hasn't been easy but I am really pleased I persevered.

I suggest that if you want to run then buy very good running shoes with shock absorbing soles and run on the balls of your feet rather than placing the heel of your foot on the ground first. This reduced the shock to the knees. But to keep your legs strong and exercise the knees, I would thoroughly recommend the use of a cross trainer set on the minimum elevation and resistance and work up from there. Your local gymnasium will have this equipment and trained instructors to help you. You may also be able to get a doctors prescription to attend your local gym. (GP Referred Supervised Gym Sessions)

I am hopeful that this has been so some use to you.

[earl-grey-sian Graduate in reply to Phill-C]

Thanks Phill. At the moment it's not really causing a problem, so I'll carry on running. I hate gyms which is one of the reasons I started running last year, so I'm afraid I wont be using a cross trainer, but it's really good to hear that continuing exercise will help maintain mobility.

[Kneeblue Graduate]

I have severe osteoarthritis in one knee and I’ve found the c25k has helped. I’m careful to do the warmup, the cool down, the stretching afterwards and even a bath after a 40 minute run. I find that after a run the pain is greatly reduced and my knee feels so much better. It’s been 3 months now and there’s definitely an improvement.