Jogging with arthritis

UsedToBeHusky

I tore two major ligaments in my knee in my late 20's and as a result I have early onset osteoarthritis. It's kept me from moving a lot and naturally I put on weight. I was already heavy at the time so my situation was further compounded. At one point, I avoided using that leg at all cost and the muscles atrophied to the point that a long city walk caused major damage and I couldn't walk for three days due to severe inflammation. I went to physical therapy and began to rebuild the strength in my knee with the hopes that one day it could handle the burdens that it once did. Well the physical therapy improved the condition, but I still had trouble. It wasn't until I began to lose the weight that I began to notice improvement with my arthritis. After I lost 20 lbs, I was able to walk more for exercise which made me happy. But now, I don't get the calorie burns that I used to. I think jogging might me be a good alternative to walking, but I'm scared and intimidated. I remember how hard jogging was before the arthritis. I just don't know how to get started. I know that there are people who have coped well enough with their arthritis to eventually take up running. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions of how I can successfully make this transition without injuring myself and essentially delaying my weight loss?

CarolynB38

I would check with your doctor/physio before you start but if you get the go-ahead from them, take it very gently. If you decide to follow something like the couch to 5k programme perhaps stay at each level for a bit longer before moving along but definitely listen to your body. It is also very important that you keep strengthening your muscles in your legs. I have problems with my joints and found that when I started C25k I had to do it for only 15-20mins each day to start with or my joints would suffer. It took me longer than it should have done to get to 5k but it was worth taking it slowly. Last time I tried it I ended up with great pain in my joints and had to stop which is why I did it so slowly this time. Above all listen to your body and your doctor/physio and good luck :happy:

Also make sure you have the best running shoes you can afford and get them fitted by a running shoe specialist (most running stores have someone to check what's best for you). It could save you a lot of pain!

k9hrd

Bump

sixpacking

start out with an exercise bike, if that option is available to you.

Fit4Vet

Couch to 5K (C25K) is an excellent place to start. I have arthritis & I run every other day with long runs being about 5 miles right now. I also have fibromyalgia which aggrevates the arthritis (or vice versa). Point is: If I run, I feel better! It's hard to get going sometimes, but once I start, I'm glad I did.

Google C25K. It's a walk/run program that teaches you how to run with intervals of each.

UsedToBeHusky

@sixpacking - Initially, the physical therapist wanted me to work on exercise bikes, but that caused a lot of popping and crackling in my knee which she said was the cartiledge getting damaged so she pulled me off that machine.

Leannek74

Couch to 5K (C25K) is an excellent place to start. I have arthritis & I run every other day with long runs being about 5 miles right now. I also have fibromyalgia which aggrevates the arthritis (or vice versa). Point is: If I run, I feel better! It's hard to get going sometimes, but once I start, I'm glad I did.

Google C25K. It's a walk/run program that teaches you how to run with intervals of each.

I agree, I had joint problems when I started and have been to an specialist in arthritis. Just take it slowly and get a good pair of shoes at a running store. There not any more expensive and if you get the right shoe for you, you will avoid a lot of pain later!

sherrillg

I have RA (20+yrs) and was recently diagnosed with OA in my knees. After losing much of the weight, I wanted to try running again and started the C25K program (great program, highly recommend it). I was able to get up to wk 6 but then my knees were just hurting too much. Took a break, started over, and again wk 6 kicked my butt (actually my knees). When I told my Rheumatologist that I had decided running was out of the question for me, she was very glad. Told me that she hadn't wanted to discourage me but that she really thought it was best if I stick to power walking. That's just me though. Just make sure your doc gives their blessing and listen to your body! I still jog on occasion, maybe once every two weeks. Good luck...You can do this!!!

UsedToBeHusky

@Fit4Vet - Thanks. I'm going to try this.

UsedToBeHusky

I have RA (20+yrs) and was recently diagnosed with OA in my knees. After losing much of the weight, I wanted to try running again and started the C25K program (great program, highly recommend it). I was able to get up to wk 6 but then my knees were just hurting too much. Took a break, started over, and again wk 6 kicked my butt (actually my knees). When I told my Rheumatologist that I had decided running was out of the question for me, she was very glad. Told me that she hadn't wanted to discourage me but that she really thought it was best if I stick to power walking. That's just me though. Just make sure your doc gives their blessing and listen to your body! I still jog on occasion, maybe once every two weeks. Good luck...You can do this!!!

Believe me, if my knees can't handle it, I will know. I'll just have to explore other options. I have a little trouble with my knees on the elliptical. I think that is part of the reason I am having so much trouble building my endurance with that machine. I honestly think my brain puts up a mental block on any activity that is hard on my knees.

sandi228

I have arthritis in my left knee and have found out that I can not jog on pavement at all without the pain being horrible. What I have found is that I can walk really fast without pain, the eliptical is amazing due to no knee impact and you burn more than on treadmill. I find the bikes still cause me some pain but increase your walking speed and use an eliptical. Good luck!