PUBLISHED 10/25/2007
When Injury Strikes
That said, while running itself doesn't increase the risk of developing OA, running injuries can--especially when you delay treatment or rush recovery. Ankle sprains, in particular, have been linked to the development of OA. Almost half of those who twist or turn an ankle experience additional sprains or ongoing weakness and pain. This is typically because the original injury wasn't well cared for and activity was resumed too quickly.
A 2005 study from the University of Basel in Switzerland found that 70 to 80 percent of patients with chronic ankle instability end up with arthritic ankles within 20 years. Doctors and physical therapists had always suspected this, but this was the first study to conclusively make the link between joint instability and arthritis, says Steven L. Haddad, M.D., associate professor of clinical orthopedic surgery at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. "Arthritis can occur because of uneven mechanics of the joint," Dr. Haddad says. "If your joint is shifted and it's even one millimeter off, it increases the stresses placed on that joint by 42 percent. This incongruity of the surfaces leads to an erosion of cartilage."
This can also occur with patellofemoral pain syndrome, a.k.a. "runner's knee," says Dr. White. If you neglect strengthening the muscles and ligaments that support the patella (kneecap), it can become misaligned, causing pain and eventually OA (see "Preventive Steps," left, for strength-building exercises). "If the patella is tracking just a little bit off, it can rub the cartilage in an abnormal way and wear it down," Dr. White says.
Luckily, all of this is avoidable. As Dr. White advises, "Don't run through joint pain, stick to soft surfaces when possible, wear supportive running shoes, and include strengthening exercises in your routine." Addressing joint issues sooner rather than later will not only help you avoid long-term damage, but it'll also help you run circles around your nonrunning friends for years to come.
