Myths and realities of running – Does running cause osteoarthritis?

You enjoy running, but you've been told you'll "wear out your knees" or develop osteoarthritis. Perhaps friends or family warn you about the repeated impact on your joints. These concerns are very common, but are they well-founded?

• Amateur runners have a 3.5% risk of hip osteoarthritis, compared to 10.2% for sedentary individuals¹
• Cartilage adapts and strengthens with progressive mechanical stress
• Only elite professional runners show a slightly increased risk
• A sedentary lifestyle is more harmful to your joints than moderate running

This article demystifies the link between running and osteoarthritis. To understand osteoarthritis in general, consult our article Is it really your osteoarthritis that's causing your pain?.

Does running cause osteoarthritis in the knee? 

NO, but…

Amateur or recreational runners (that is, everyone except professionals) develop less osteoarthritis in the knee and hip than non-runners. How is this possible? Well, the body adapts to the mechanical stress caused by running by becoming stronger and more robust. Cartilage therefore stays healthy longer!

BUT, elite runners (professionals or those who have participated in international competitions) have more osteoarthritis in the knee and hip. This could also be explained by the repeated injuries sustained by these professionals.

In addition, sedentary people have more osteoarthritis in the knee and hip than runners.

What can we conclude from all this? Whether you do nothing or run professionally, you're more likely to develop osteoarthritis. If you run as an amateur, you're less likely to develop it.

To learn more...

Check out the podcast « Parle-moi de santé » created by one of our physiotherapists, Alexis Gougeon.

Episode #1 discusses the prevention and treatment of running injuries.

Find the episode on YouTube:

Click below to listen to episodes on podcast platforms:

Sources

• Alentorn-Geli E, Samuelsson K, Musahl V, Green CL, Bhandari M, Karlsson J. The association of recreational and competitive running with hip and knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy. 2017 Jun;47(6):373-90.
• Khan M, O’Donovan J, Charlton JM, Roy JS, Hunt MA, Esculier JF. The Influence of Running on Lower Limb Cartilage: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Sports Medicine. 2021 Sep 3:1-20.

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