March 22, 2023 — Long-distance runners are often warned that they are wearing out their joints. But running distance, frequency, and speed are not associated with an increased risk of osteoarthritis, new research says.
Osteoarthritis is caused by the breakdown of cartilage in joints, and it is the most common type of arthritis. Over 32.5 million U.S. adults have osteoarthritis, according to the CDC.
It has generally been thought that running could increase the risk of osteoarthritis because it puts more load on joints than walking or standing, said Grace Hsiao-Wei Lo, MD, assistant professor of immunology, allergy, and rheumatology at…
