Osteoarthritis in the hip- can i run?

janlc · 21. Sep 2011, 06:32

Hi I found this forum today after being directed here by a friend. Yesterday I was diagnosed with Osteoarthritis in my hip. This has been causing on and off pain for about 4 and half years. Two and a half years ago I thought the pain was caused by being overweight which I was so started eating healthily and walking everywhere. I lost 4 and a half stone so am no longer over weight and also started running about 1 and a half years ago. Over the past say 4-6 months I have had to take it easy regarding running as after my run I would be in great pain and limping for days. Now when I run it does not hurt but when I walk it does?
Anyway I decided to see the doc who examined me and sent me off for an X-ray. Now I know what is causing my pain I am keen to keep active but have read that running is not a good idea. I am really gutted as I love running but I know I have to listen to my body. The question is is there anyone on here who is/was a runner, has this form of arthritis and what have you done about it?
I find when it flares up ibruprofen does not help> jan

dreamdaisy · 21. Sep 2011, 06:48

Hi, it's nice to meet you and I am hugely envious of your weight loss and exercising abilities! Of course you can carry on running, but that is a high-impact form of exercise and I think you will risk causing further damage to a damaged joint, so is it worth it? I wouldn't have thought so. Running is bad for ankles, knees and hips so it may be time to find some other form of lower-impact exercise to a) help that hip and b) keep you fit. Cycling and swimming are better alternatives, you need strong muscles to support an OA-affected joint and those are two kinder ways to the body of achieving just that. I wish you well and good luck! DD

janlc · 21. Sep 2011, 06:54

hi thanks for the reply

I live in a rural village and the pool is miles away and cycling here not really feasable as I live in a very hilly valley( wales) I am looking into getting a cross trainer with a bike attached. I will carry on walking with the dog but I am so going to miss that after run buzz.
I think yesterday when I found out, I was in a state worrying about the future, looking for alternatives and self help. Gosh does this mean I'M OLD HAHAHA

dreamdaisy · 21. Sep 2011, 07:06

Are you old? Porbably not! I am 52, have two sorts of arthritis one of which began aged 37 and I have been on crutches since 2002, so my idea of what constitutes exercise will be very different to yours. My knees don't bend far enough for cycling, swimming is fine until gravity hits when I climb out and my knees balloon with fluid - eee, it's a grand life!

The cross-trainer sounds ideal, could you try one in a local gym first to see if it suits? One of the myths about arthritis is that it only affects the old: we have people on here in their teens, twenties, thirties and so on - and our youngest member is two. Arthritis can affect anyone at any age - one is never too young to be arthritic!

I am sure that Arthtrits Care publish information on the role and importance of exercise, have a look under their publications and resources heading. DD

frogmorton · 21. Sep 2011, 08:37

Hi Jan

my sis lost 6 and a half stone and in the end she was running with Oa of the ankles. Something else stopped her running not relevant to arthritis, BUT she really felt anxious about not being able to run - think she almost got 'addicted'. So l totally get that :???:

What have they advised you at the docs???? A few on here have exercise bikes which they use and l swim as often as l can.

Oh sorry :oops: welcome form me

Toni xx

janlc · 21. Sep 2011, 08:48

Hi I am not old... 49

I do realise that all ages can succumb to this and was trying to be light hearted about it.

Hi Toni, I am really gutted about running... doc has advised me not to run but I know if I go walking I will get the 'urge' Will have to stop myself:)

stickywicket · 21. Sep 2011, 08:57

Hi Janic and welcome from me too.

My husband used to run. He got so's his knees just couldn't take it but he decided it really was a bit of an addiction and he still gets the urge from time to time. He's swapped running for golf and get's plenty of exercise there as he keeps hitting the ball in the wrong direction. he does the cross-trainer thing. Maybe a physio could advise you on what's best for you. Good luck.

angie1973 · 21. Sep 2011, 09:04

I used to be a keen runner too. 3 miles a day religiously. I loved it! But I can't run now for toffee as my knees just cave in. I walk an hour every day as I can't run but I miss the outdoors too much staying in. I tried a cross trainer thing, but I found it was hurting my knees too much.

I think you have to try things and see what helps you as it might work wonders for you if it's in your hip.

It's hard giving something up, something I think everyone here will understand. We have all made sacrifices or changes to our lives to better cope. Sometimes it feels like you have lost part of your life, but you soon adapt, and realise you can still do things, just not the same way as before, and for some of us like our wonderful DD, we have to be really careful how far we push it.

I'm sure you will find that limit. It's good to be as active as you can though, I am determined to stay the same way. I can't run, but I can walk, and I'm going to keep at it. Hope you find your happy place for exercise too

barbara12 · 21. Sep 2011, 09:48

Hi Jan it good to have you aboard this lovely forum
Has for the running, well I think you know that pounding isnt good for the hips or the knees.
At the min I am waiting to have my first THR, but I have always loved walking...I could cover 6 miles sometime with my dog,
So you would be better walking or hows about riding a bike...
I know its not the same but at least it will keep your fitness up

janlc · 21. Sep 2011, 13:55

hi, thank you everyone who has taken the time to reply... I am so glad I was directed to this site, will have to set some time aside later to have a read through and find my way around. Nice to 'meet' you all and thankyou

tonesp · 21. Sep 2011, 13:57

My surgeon in Spain said to take it easy until the hip replacement and then exercise

frogmorton · 21. Sep 2011, 14:15

janlc wrote:

Hi I am not old... 49
I do realise that all ages can succumb to this and was trying to be light hearted about it.

Hi Toni, I am really gutted about running... doc has advised me not to run but I know if I go walking I will get the 'urge' Will have to stop myself:)

My sis had her 50th birthday last month and is still gutted.

She is hoping to find something else to give her that high. So far no idea what as she lives out in the sticks in Scotland.

((())) for you

Love

Toni xx (l am at least able to swim which l think would be great if you had a pool nearby)

vonski · 21. Sep 2011, 15:14

Hi Jan, Welcome from me too. I'm not sure that I can say anything that would help you. But I don't thik it's a good idea to run with oa as every step you take jars your joints so maybe try something a little easier on them. If you ring the Helpline number at top of page or post your question on Chat to our Helpline Team they will know more than me.
Hope all goes well.
Vonski

hileena111 · 22. Sep 2011, 03:00

Hi Jan
Welcome from me as well. I dont think running is a good idea as it is such a high impact exercise. Even if you get a buzz after the now.....consider what a few more years of running might do???? I agree with the ones that said if it was possible to talk to aphysio it would be better than your GP
Good luck anyway...let us know if you find anything to replace it
Love
hileena

flowersmad · 23. Sep 2011, 06:33

Hi, I also enjoy my running, I try run more on grass to lessen the impact and I find this helps. I also take collagen plus daily to help my cartilage which has made a real difference.

Keep your chin up and try to stay positive

suzyc68 · 25. Sep 2011, 14:47

Hi Janlc

I also have it in the hip, and when i saw the consultant, i asked about exercise, because i had been doing a bit of running in the gym and had noticed the impact it was having. i was told at the moment not to run- to do uphill walking, and cross training. and he said once my fitness is on top form i should be ok running without it having a negative impact, but who knows. he said in maybe a year or 2??!! i dont know whether this is useful to you, but i hope it is. maybe you could look at other exercise which you enjoy. He did say zumba is a great exercise, and was happy for me to do this ( and its so much fun).

suzanne xx

janlc · 25. Sep 2011, 15:28

hi suzanne, I am going to get a cross trainer, I gave mine to my daughter last year as I was running 5 days a week and didnt think I needed it. I am pretty fit and we have hills all around us here( south wales) so walking up and down them is the norm..I need to keep fit, I dont want to get fat again either. I cant understand being told to walk for a year or so and then run, when one is already fit and running can further damage your hip. your doc sounds like he has crossed wires to me?

suzyc68 · 25. Sep 2011, 15:40

to be honest- my dr's havent been the best- took 8 years for a diagnosis. have you got orthotics for your shoes? maybe these would help?
i am already quite fit- try to go to gym 3 - 4 times a week, active job etc- but he still told me not to run and to get even fitter. i think if you notice its having a negative affect- dont do it.

janlc · 25. Sep 2011, 15:50

the thing is, with having it in your hip, running will cause more wear and tear, being fit will not have anything to do with it. I am really fit but running makes it worse to the point where I can't even walk with out pain after a run. I think my running days are over:(

Osteoarthritis in the hip- can i run?

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