Running Dose and Risk of Developing Lower-Extremity Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Whether or not running leads to the development of knee and hip osteoarthritis has been a much-debated topic and is often a question patients pose to their physicians. Recent literature adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that lower-dose running may be protective against the development of osteoarthritis, whereas higher-dose running may increase one's risk of developing lower-extremity osteoarthritis. However, running dose remains challenging to define, leading to difficulty in providing firm recommendations to patients regarding the degree of running which may be safe. Furthermore, when counseling patients regarding their risk of developing lower-extremity osteoarthritis secondary to running, clinicians must consider many additional factors, such as the numerous health benefits from running and individual risk factors for developing osteoarthritis.

Treadmill Running Induces Remodeling of the Infrapatellar Fat Pad in an Intensity-dependent Manner

“…In the present study, we found that low-to-medium running led to unchanged or decreased brosis, vascularity, and surface cellularity in the IFP, which likely contributed to maintenance of optimal joint homeostasis. High-intensity running, however, may cause cartilage degradation [7]. This effect of high-intensity running may be, at least partially, attributable to the considerable increase in IFP brosis and vascularization as was found in the present study.…”

“…Although accumulating evidence indicates that the IFP contributes to KOA by IFP contributes to KOA by modulating the phenotype of pro-or anti-in ammatory [3], its biological response to mechanical loading in the healthy knee is poorly understood. Mechanical factors have long been implicated in the etiology of OA [7]. An increased load on the knee may result in a signi cantly higher pressure inside the IFP at the extremes of extension and knee exion [8].…”

“…[10]. High-intensity running may induce a high degree of running-induced loading, which can be harmful to the joint once the magnitude exceeds the physiologic tolerance level for an individual [7,10,11]. Currently, OA is regarded as a whole joint disease [12].…”

Treadmill running induces remodeling of the infrapatellar fat pad in an intensity-dependent manner

“…Although accumulating evidence indicates that the IFP contributes to KOA by modulating the pro- or anti-inflammatory phenotype [ 3 ], its biological response to mechanical loading in the healthy knee is poorly understood. Mechanical factors have long been implicated in the etiology of OA [ 7 ]. An increased load on the knee may result in a significantly higher pressure inside the IFP at the extremes of extension and knee flexion [ 8 ].…”

“…However, its effects on joint health appear to differ depending on the intensit y[ 10 ].. High-intensity running may induce a high degree of running-induced loading, which can be harmful to the joint once the magnitude exceeds the physiological tolerance level for an individual [ 7 , 10 , 11 ]. Currently, OA is regarded as a whole joint disease [ 12 ].…”