Knee Osteoarthritis Running Facts – How to Run Safely

Many runners believe if you suffer from osteoarthritis, your running days are over.  

We are here to tell you this is a complete myth.  In actual fact, in some cases when done correctly, running can actually soothe your arthritic pain and help you overcome some common arthritis hurdles. 

So we are happy to say DON’T STOP RUNNING!  If you follow this guide, you will be hitting the track with confidence knowing that running with knee osteoarthritis won’t stop you from doing the things you love. 

Can I Continue Running with Knee Osteoarthritis?

Running is an effective way to stay healthy and maintain a healthy weight.

But it can put a lot of pressure on your joints.  So it is completely understandable, if you have been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis, you may have concerns about running with knee osteoarthritis. 

The good news is studies from the National Center for Biotechnology Information have found running actually helps to overcome the common ailments associated with osteoarthritis. These conclusions were discovered due to the positive effects running had on the participants lower BMI (body mass index). 

With this is mind, we can confidently say you can continue to run even if you have knee osteoarthritis – however we would recommend taking some preventative guidelines which we will go into detail below. 

What is the risk of Running with Knee Osteoarthritis

While it’s easy for anyone to judge a person with knee osteoarthritis (OA) as “risky” based solely on the presence of this degenerative joint disease, that judgment is short-sighted.

That’s because running with OA is possible, but with the right type of knee brace and preventative measures.  Understanding the varying forms of knee OA and why each form should be treated differently is an important factor when choosing the right knee brace to help you keep running.

Does Running Make Arthritis Worse?

For every person who swears their arthritis is worse after a run, there’s another who says a daily dose of exercise is the best thing they can do for their aching joints.

But why is there such a disparity?

The fact is, exercise can help or hurt your arthritis, depending on how you do it.

It takes careful planning and a solid understanding of the benefits and risks of running to find out if it’s right for you.

With this guide you will be able to safely continue to look after your osteoarthritis without compromising on your running routine. 

How to Safely Run with Osteoarthritis

Below are a few ways you can do to help maintain a healthy running lifestyle, while living with osteoarthritis:

• Running Style – Using a proper running style will help reduce the pressure on your joints and minimize the likelihood of your running impacting your osteoarthritis.  Below is a Youtube video from Global Triathlon Network that runs through the perfect running form. 

•  Proper Support – it is a known fact that at The Best Knee Braces team is big on taking preventative measures for optimal knee health.  This includes using knee supports – even if there are no ailments or signs of osteoarthritis.  Providing your knee (and body) with the proper support will prevent any degenerative conditions from setting in and maintaining a healthy knee joint.  This includes using knee braces or knee wraps while you are running.  
• Choose arthritic friendly running grounds – running on concrete or unforgiving hard surfaces can place unnecessary stress on your knee joint.  Choosing to run on softer surfaces, such as fields or athletic tracks, helps to reduce the impact on your knees and your arthritis. 
• Use the right equipment – you may be thinking what equipment do you run with?  The one piece of equipment that will make the difference on a painful or painless run (besides knee braces) are your shoes.  Identifying shoes that support your feet so that they land correctly helps to maintain integrity in your running style.  It also helps to reduce any awkward strain that you may be placing while running with knee osteoarthritis. 

Final Thoughts on Running with Knee Osteoarthritis

Just because you have been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis doesn’t mean you have to give up your fitness and health. 

We are happy to tell you that running with knee osteoarthritis is possible.  Simply follow the guidelines we have set out above, and you will be back to the (soft) running track in no time.

As always if you have any concerns or questions please seek advice from your local medical professional.  

Let us know how you have conquered your osteoarthritis in the comments below.