Affecting millions, osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis worldwide. The painful joint degeneration can effect large joints such as the knee, hip, neck and lower back.
It was once believed that OA could be caused by the wear and tear on bones from regular exercise like jogging, but a recent article from the Northern Kentucky Tribune tells us not to put our running shoes away just yet.
In a 2008 study, researchers found that long distance-runners showed no effect on their joints. A Stanford University study backed up these results, reporting that running over a long period of time actually made cartilage thicker and healthier.
So since moderate running isn’t the cause of osteoarthritis, what is?
Dr. Rajeev Kurapati, a family physician at St. Elizabeth Hospitals in Northern Kentucky says the following factors will accelerate osteoarthritis:
- Lack of Exercise ““ too little exercise shrinks cartilage and causes stress on your joints
- Trauma ““ even if repaired, trauma can change the way you walk and shift your weight, weakening muscles in the process
- Obesity and Weight Gain ““ obese people who lose just 5% of body weight experience at least 25% reduction in symptoms
- Age ““ those over the age of 50 may experience cartilage shrinkage, although some see symptoms earlier on
