any advice?

[Louisamith]

I am a 21 year old girl who has just been diagnosed with mild to severe osteoarthritis in both my knees and I am wrecked. I have been lying in bed for three days crying because I have been told I’ll never run again.

I don’t know what to do. I can’t believe this has happened to me so young. I am so scared for my future, I am in pain now, what’s this going to be like in a couple of years ? I cannot bear to think.

I have heard varying accounts/facts and studies on whether or not it is good to keep running on affected joints, any advice on this would be helpful too i am not ready to give up on running completely but unsure whether or not this would be completely stupid and just wear out my joints quicker? thanks again

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

That is really tough news.

The important thing to hang onto, when faced with physical limitations, is to celebrate what you can do and focus on being as good at that as you can.

While there may be forum members who have relevant experience, do be careful about taking advice from a random bunch of runners on the internet, however well meaning they may be.

The medical professionals who know your individual case are the best people to listen to. You can always ask for a second opinion and there may well be a way forward. Look at our Paralympians for inspiration.

Keep positive and keep pushing boundaries.

Best wishes.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

The advice IannodaTruffe gas given you is spot on.

Here is a link which we gave shared before which my be useful to you.

But..each person's case is different and your medical consultants will be the ones to help with advice.

versusarthritis.org/news/20...

[Greer12]

This is tough news for someone so young. It’s an unusual diagnosis mild to severe though? Anyone over the age of 30 has degenerative changes to their joints. You can look on the internet but as Ian has said the best plan is to speak to your treating team to see what their advice would be for running/exercise moving forwards. You clearly are fit but you may have to taylor your fitness to your OA. If you can focus on an alternative then that will help you

[drun]

I concur with what everyone else has said that this is tough news. This link nhs.uk/conditions/osteoarth... is from the NHS in the UK and should help you need there is also a link to a support forum for people with osteoarthritis.

You can do a structured exercise programme and a medical professional who knows you is best placed to talk about your options.