Running when you have osteoarthritis can be very painful because the disease causes the cushioning between joints to wear away. Osteoarthritis results in bone spurs and growths and causes bones to rub against bones during movement. Pain usually worsens during exercise and often remains even when at rest. Runners who want to continue their favorite sport can take measures to prevent debilitating pain.
Step 1
Purchase a pair of running shoes that have therapeutic insoles. According to the National Institute on Aging, improper shoes can exacerbate osteoarthritis symptoms.
Step 2
Undergo a surgical procedure to either repair or replace the damaged joints. According to the National Institutes of Health, a knee or hip replacement can provide a whole new era of running for you if your arthritis is crippling your running ability. A minimally invasive procedure done through arthroscopic procedures can remove torn cartilage and trim off bone spurs that interfere with your running.
Step 3
Perform leg-strengthening exercises to increase the muscles that support your legs during running so that you can remove some of the stress on your joints. Exercises such as leg pumps, squats and leg lifts with resistance bands can strengthen the thigh and calf muscles to absorb more impact during running.
Step 4
Take a dietary supplement that contains a combination of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine. For some runners, the supplement can relieve arthritis symptoms significantly. According to the National Institutes of Health, the only way to find out if the supplement will work for you is to take it for about three months. The over-the-counter remedy does not result in new cartilage growth, but it can provide continuous pain relief.
Tips and Warnings
- Running increases knee and hip pain from osteoarthritis because it is a high-impact activity. Most treatments merely reduce the level of pain. According to the Arthritis Foundation, your attitude plays a large role in how you deal with the pain while running. Keep positive thoughts in your mind while running to distract you from the pain. Listen to uplifting music when running to add to the distraction.
- You may find relief from a number of topical creams or over-the-counter pain relievers. While many of the medications can lessen the pain you feel when running, talk to your doctor before self-medicating to make sure the treatments don't interfere with other medications or carry other harmful side effects. For example, some pain-relief skin rubs can interfere with blood thinners, and excessive use of over-the-counter pain relievers can cause stomach or heart problems.
Member Comments