Gabe Mirkin, M.D.
Yes; former champion athletes are at higher risk for
degenerative arthritis requiring eventual hip and knee
replacements, but that doesn’t mean that you should stop
exercising. Champion athletes often train through pain and
compete when they are injured. You should never do that. Your
body talks to you. If your hip or knee hurts when you exercise,
stop exercising. If the pain returns every time that you run, stop
running and find another sport.
Most former athletes who end up with joint replacement
surgery had major injuries that came from training when they
should have rested, or from traumatic injury that damaged
cartilage. Damaged cartilage never heals. Most people who
have damage to the cartilage in their hip or knee joints should
stop running and jumping, because the impact when their feet hit
the ground is transmitted up to break more cartilage. Relatively
safe hip and knee exercises include cycling and swimming; they
are done with smooth rotary motions without road shock, or in
the water that protects the joints. When the pain in your knee is
so bad that it prevents you from sleeping, it may be time to get a
knee replacement.
December 10, 2005