How is running affecting your knees?

Question

I heard running hurts your knees.

Answer 1

Those who have structural deviations of the foot which are not addressed can do great damage to the knee. Meniscal tears, liagment strains, and patello-femoral syndrome to name a few. I feel that those who address any deviations and train properly can avoid these problems.

I truely believe the jury is still out as to whether activity early in life has any bearing on arthritis in the future. For example, why do many women of Southeast Asian decent who are rather sedentary (not active in sports) often experience severe knee arthritis, and then why does my 70 year old neighbor run 5 miles 3 times a week without an inkling of pain? If feel there is a lot we still don't know about arthritis.

In my professional opionion, no solid evidence exists that states that running "causes" arthritis...or any other knee problem if proper measures are taken.

Answer 2

The short term effect of running on the knee, most specifically the patellofemoral joint (between the patella (knee cap) and femur) is not drastic. However, repeative running over the lifespan does have dramatic effects. It can cause excessive wearing of the articular cartilage of the PF joint and wearing on the meniscus in the knee. This excessive wear adds to the grinding and popping that occurs with age and can increase potential for total knee replacement. If you do decide to continue running then do multi-directional strengthening for the knee. Make sure to address, most specifically, the strength of the adductors, TFL and Gluteus medius. Also make sure to stretch before and after. Make sure to address IT band, which is a very common problem in runners.

Answer 3

I'm 57, ran for most of my life, just the last several years I've finally had to hang it up.... I still walk, bike, do some cardio machines at the gym but running is out of my vocabulary. My knees are wore out, literally trying to fend off knee replacement surgery. Lots of arthritis, tough going up steps but I remain active as possible. I think its important to stretch before and after running, didn't start doing that till the last 10 years I ran. If your over weight, loose the weight, it makes it tougher on your knees running with extra pounds. That said, if you enjoy running, go for it.... I miss it and probably would do it all over again if I had the chance.

Answer 4

If you have good form, you run on soft surfaces and you have good running shoes, your knees will not be affected.

Why do I know that?

Bad form, I ran on concrete and bad shoes. Last year, when I started running, I used hiking sneakers and I landed on my toes while running on concrete. My ligaments got inflamed (it hurt to walk down steps). Because I was landing on my toes, the impact from the concrete went directly to my knees, which are not meant to handle that. When I started landing on my heels the problem fixed itself. The shock went to the larger muscle groups (butt and hamstrings) which handled the shock quite well.

SHOES: Go to a running store, not a mall store. Tell them your running style and they will suggest a few pairs. Shoes are so important for knee health!

SURFACES: My runs are usually before work, so I am limited on where I can go. When I run in my neighborhood, I run in the street vs on concrete. On weekends, I run in the hills or at the beach.

Answer 5

It does over time. Because running puts about twice the body weight of you onto your knees, it's stressful for them.

Answer 6

It doesn't hurt your knees only muscle

Answer 7

Well, I agree. I heard that too. Right now I am recooperating from knee replacement.......................bottom line............take care of your knees!!!

Not a good thing to go thru. I will do fine...........but right now with PT and all............it seems so far away.

Answer 8

YES. RUNNING AFFECTS YOUR LOWER EXTREMITY JOINTS.
THE IMPACT OF EACH STEP PLUS YOU BODY WEIGHT IS A FACTOR .
INCREASE GLUCOSAMINE INTAKE TO MINIMIZE JOINT DETERIORATION.