Runners who were able to overcome knee arthritis, what did you do?

Don't F with knee arthritis. You'll only make it worse.

I'm 21 and when I was 19 I found out I had arthritis in my left knee cap. Ended my running career. I had microfracture surgery and all pain is gone but if I ran it wouldn't be too long before my knee got ruined again.

Cartilage doesn't grow back. I hate to be the bearer of bad new but you might need to find a new activity that is less stressful on the knees.

bummed out wrote:

I had a doctor check on my knees after I've been experiencing knee pain all year. Still waiting on the results of MRI, but based on an ultrasound he was able to see some arthritic degeneration of the knee joints. For runners that were able to get past this and continue running for many years on, do you have any advice on what you did? Did you have your running gait examined to see if there were any hip imbalances or such that might have lead to the problems?

I'm cautious when it comes to taking advice from some doc's offices because it always seems that they are trying to sell you on something like orthotics. I'm getting up there in age (almost 40) and having flat feet doesn't help either. Anyway, I'd appreciate any advice you can throw out.

My knee starting hurting during a run five or six years ago and I had to stop and walk home. I went to see a sports medicine doctor and he couldn't find anything wrong with the knee. An x-ray showed some osteoarthritis. I waited six weeks until my knee felt better, and headed out to run. I've had no problems with it since.

I also have flat feet; one thing I've found is that neglecting hip flexor stretching leads to knee issues. So you might try a bit of that and see if it helps.

Cross training is the way to go. Bike, and swimming. Save the knee by doing a lot of cross training. Eliptical is also tolerable (and less damaging) for most osteoarthritis sufferers.

There is simply no way the knee will get better by running, and intense training and pounding will only accelerate the degenerative process. It is much better to conserve the cartilage you have by doing cross training.

Good luck.

Ghost in Saudi,

www.kfupm.edu.sa

, apply today

OA knee brace, also known as an "unloader brace" works great. Do some research, they are awesome.

THanks for the responses. I'll look into some of those things that were mentioned. It surprises me that someone in their 20s can develop arthritis that young.

I know the damage can't be undone but I'm not entirely ready to quit running just yet. If there's a way to correct any biomechanics that might have caused the problem I'd rather go that way and see if I can stop the degenerative process. I was fitted for orthotics years ago but never really wore them because they were too bulky and didn't feel right with lightweight shoes. Maybe a new pair of lightweight orthotics might be something? I've also thought about going to a PT or sports chiropractor to see if I have any alignment issues.. What do you think?

From what I read on past threads, it seems that weight training probably wouldn't help me and might even worsen the condition. I also read that certain load bearing exercises like squats and lunges put alot of pressure on the knee joint.

Hold off

Radiologists make mistakes

I had a bone scan say I have arthritis when MRIs reveal my cartilege is completely intact.

altoroad wrote:

... one thing I've found is that neglecting hip flexor stretching leads to knee issues. So you might try a bit of that and see if it helps.

So true.

OP, I'd do 3 months of pool running along with PT prescribed knee strengthening and flexibility exercises before I'd ever let a surgeon touch my knees.

its over wrote:

I'm 21 and when I was 19 I found out I had arthritis in my left knee cap. Ended my running career. I had microfracture surgery and all pain is gone but if I ran it wouldn't be too long before my knee got ruined again.

Who told you that? I had microfracture surgery 6 years ago at age 43 to repair a hole in my cartilage. I was back training as hard as ever within a year. I've done 18 mile runs and raced distances from 800m to half marathons. I Haven't had ANY issues with the knee that was worked on.

I also know that several NBA players have had the surgery and then returned to playing pro ball. The stress running places on your knee is nothing compared to what these guys do.

Same here. I've run 3 marathons since my microfracture surgery (after taking 7 months off) and still going strong (age 26 now). But everyone responds differently and doctors can't predict what's going to happen. I'd get a second opinion if I were you.

[/quote]

Who told you that? I had microfracture surgery 6 years ago at age 43 to repair a hole in my cartilage. I was back training as hard as ever within a year. I've done 18 mile runs and raced distances from 800m to half marathons. I Haven't had ANY issues with the knee that was worked on.

I also know that several NBA players have had the surgery and then returned to playing pro ball. The stress running places on your knee is nothing compared to what these guys do.[/quote]

I am not an expert and don't give advice but I am always willing to relate my experiences. When I was 70 I developed pain under my patella and had to stop running. Whenever the pain subsided in every day life I would try to run again. Numerous attempts were made but after a few days running the pain would return. Finally after 12 months I managed to start running slowly again every day, a short distance at first then gradually increasing up to 3 hours. At seventy two and a half I ran the first sub 3 hour marathon by a 70 year old.

At age 75 the same pain started in my other knee. I had MRIs done on both knees and was told that I had osteo in both and the doctor advised my running days were over. However I repeated the the procedure described above and after about the same length of time I got back running again. Last year I got back to some 3 hour training runs and set the M80 world marathon record.

I have had some advice about quad strengthening exercises to correct knee tracking alignment but have not been that assiduous in following them. I have been taking glucosamine and condroitin pills. I am not convinced they are doing any good but I am continuing to take them in case they are.

So, my experience says don't give up too easily.Good luck.

Make sure you actually have arthritis because some doctors are idiots and misdiagnose runners.

Doctors are used to viewing images of inactive fatties knees who likely have the real thing. You may not, which is why you should get other opinions

its over wrote:

Cartilage doesn't grow back.

Mine did.

It was gone for years. It was so bad my knee would lock up near 90 degrees. After one airplane trip it got stuck and I had to wait 5 minutes to get it unstuck so I could walk off the plane.

After several years of not doing the things that destroyed it, in particular not heel striking, it self-resolved and my knees work smoothly again.

Ed,

Thanks for the story. Hopefully my outcome would be similar to yours. What did you do to keep in shape while you couldn't run?

bummed out wrote:

I had a doctor check on my knees after I've been experiencing knee pain all year. Still waiting on the results of MRI, but based on an ultrasound he was able to see some arthritic degeneration of the knee joints. For runners that were able to get past this and continue running for many years on, do you have any advice on what you did? Did you have your running gait examined to see if there were any hip imbalances or such that might have lead to the problems?

I'm cautious when it comes to taking advice from some doc's offices because it always seems that they are trying to sell you on something like orthotics. I'm getting up there in age (almost 40) and having flat feet doesn't help either. Anyway, I'd appreciate any advice you can throw out.

I'm wondering if I am experiencing the same thing at 31. The pain is most prevalent during the first half mile or so of a run then eases up, then returns several miles in. Earlier this year it got bad to the point the pain was spreading down my leg so I decided to take some time off and did the nine week Insanity program to keep in shape. When I started back it progressively got worse again. If I accidentally bump it even slightly during the day its like being slammed with a hammer. But it dosent really hurt while walking normal. I'm afraid that a doctor will tell me there is nothing wrong, to just take some time off.

bummed out wrote:

I'm cautious when it comes to taking advice from some doc's offices because it always seems that they are trying to sell you on something like orthotics. I'm getting up there in age (almost 40) and having flat feet doesn't help either. Anyway, I'd appreciate any advice you can throw out.

Orthoses not orthotics.

bummed out wrote:

Ed,

Thanks for the story. Hopefully my outcome would be similar to yours. What did you do to keep in shape while you couldn't run?

I didn't keep in shape. I tried the stationary bike but my knee didn't like that. I didn't try anything else. Basically just rested except for normal every day activities. Put on about 15 pounds. This of course created other problems when starting to run again. Ran even more slowly than usual when starting to run again and tried to minimise pounding by shuffling along with minimum bounce. After a year off it takes me at least two years to get back to where I was (making allowances for an additional 2 years in age). Runners never have a big enough supply of patience!

Ed

Got my MRI back and have an appointment with the doc scheduled. The MRI is pretty much inline with what my doctor felt I had during the initial visit - osteoarthritis in the patellofemoral area. Anyway, this doesn't sound good. Does it make any difference that the arthritis is one area rather than the other parts of the knee?