One of the downsides to running is the risk of injury. Because of the changing terrains and high impact of your strides on your lower body, injuries can occur in many forms. Some of these can be avoided by proper stretching and not pushing your body beyond its limits. If you already have arthritis in your lower body, running may worsen your condition.
Arthritis Effects
Arthritis is a joint disease marked by inflammation of the connective tissues between bones. It is most common in joints that bear weight -- these joints are common throughout the lower body, including the hips, knees and ankles joints. Cartilage is used to cushion the bones and prevent bone-on-bone contact, but stress on these tissues can result in its own set of problems, including the deterioration of the cartilage and other connective tissues.
Arthritis No-No
Running isn't necessarily an activity that causes arthritis to develop, but if you already have arthritis in the lower body you might see your condition worsen through running. The Mayo Clinic discourages running by arthritic individuals because it can accelerate the condition of your disease. Healthy cartilage may be able to withstand the stress of running when you take care of your joints, but already diseased joints will not have the strength to withstand the moderate stress of running.
Adjusting Your Routine
If you are committed to running and have the approval of your doctor, there are things you can do to reduce the impact of running on your arthritis. A top priority is switching your terrain to soft surfaces. Grass and rubber tracks are ideal because they give underneath your feet, eliminating the hard impact that concrete delivers. You should also wear shoes that feature good cushioning along the sole of the foot.
Considerations
You may want to consider activities outside of running to maintain your physical fitness. For example, walking will get you moving on your legs but will save you from the harsh impact of running. Bicycling and swimming are other activities that will provide a similar workout without exacerbating arthritis in the joints.
