Sports, specifically running, have not been shown to cause osteoarthritis. Running, however, can cause joint injury, which can lead to arthritic changes. More active and athletic people tend to tolerate the changes of arthritis better. Other lower impact activities can be done to maintain the flexibility and strength that help maintain cartilage surfaces, including swimming, bicycling and weight lifting. Running may lead to a slight increase in osteoarthritis.
Living With Arthritis
When living with arthritis, daily activities like opening doors, climbing stairs and even getting out of bed can be difficult and painful due to joint inflammation. Exercise reduces pain and disability, partly because it stimulates the production of synovial fluid that lubricates the joints. Regular daily exercise also helps maintain a healthy weight and improve overall muscle tone and balance, both which lessen strain on the joints.
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National Academy of Sports Medicine answeredSee All 2 AnswersThere is no scientific evidence to show that the development of arthritis is related to diet, either the presence or absence of foods. Naturally, if you eat certain foods and arthritis symptoms seem to worsen, avoid that food, but make sure you are still getting a balanced diet and eating a wide variety of healthy foods. The food-arthritis link is often related to a discussion of food allergies and arthritis. Food allergies occur when your immune system mistakenly believes that something you ate is harmful. To protect you, the immune system makes antibodies against that food. The antibodies set off a chain reaction that causes symptoms. Once antibodies are made against a particular food, the body instantly recognizes that food the next time it is consumed, and the cycle begins again.
While research continues in this area to see if certain foods can be identified that make arthritis worse, no good evidence exists at this time. That said, adequate bone building nutrients throughout life (calcium, vitamin D, vitamin K, protein and others) will ensure that your bones start off as healthy as they can be.
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Sigma Nursing answeredSee All 2 AnswersDaily arthritis management includes following directions from your doctor and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Make sure you're taking medications and going to physical therapy according to your doctor's recommendations. Maintaining a diet low in calories and saturated fats and high in grains, fruits and vegetables can help slow the progress of the disease. Remember that obesity is a risk factor, so exercising, losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight is very helpful. To manage pain, hot baths, heating pads or ice packs may be helpful. Also, don't hesitate to use assistive devices like walkers or canes that can help you do your daily tasks with less pain.
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National Academy of Sports Medicine answered
The following stretches should be very effective for you to perform-hip flexor (standing), inner thigh (seated) and calf complex. With each stretch is important to hold the stretch for 30 seconds and repeat. Also, with any stretch you perform use caution and stretch only within a range of motion that is always pain free.
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See All 6 AnswersExercise can significantly reduce arthritis pain in older women. Older people can improve their chances of staying pain-free from arthritis by exercising regularly, according to a study that looked at 8,750 Australian women in different age groups: 48 to 55 years and 72 to 79 years. The researchers stressed that findings showed that increased exercise led to less pain, as those who exercised 2 1/2 hours a week reported less discomfort from arthritis than those women who exercised one hour and 15 minutes.
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See All 6 AnswersAccording to Anderssen, Thorstensson, Roos, Petersson, Heinegard and Saxne (2006) exercise is a treatment recommended for osteoarthritis to strengthen joint stability and reduce pain. A new study was developed to monitor tissue proteins of the knee joint in groups of patients suffering from osteoarthritis and recognize that mild walking can alter the proteins, suggesting a benefit to the patient. The study recommends further testing and research, but recognizes that a relationship exists between exercise and arthritis.
On a personal level, I have had both of my knees replaced and can attest that exercise has been my saving grace before and after my replacement surgery. Even though pain can get in the way of the emotional want to be active, the overall outcome can greatly decrease arthritis pain on the knee joint and increase physical mobility. Although I could not avoid knee replacement surgery, I have still found that exercise minimizes my pain and increases mobility and I believe it will always be a staple in my existence to ensure a more positive quality of life.
Anderssen, M., Thorstensson, C., Roos, E., Petersson, I., Heinegard, D. & Saxne, T. (2006). Serum levels of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) increase temporarily after physical exercise in patients with knee osteoarthritis. BMC Musculoskeletel Disorders, 7(98), 1-8. Retrieved from ESBSCOhost database.