Does running exercise cause osteoarthritis?

Although numerous health benefits are associated with running, relatively little is known about long-term effects on the musculoskeletal system. Running places a great deal of repetitive stress on the joints and supporting structures of the lower extremities. Through animal and clinical studies, investigators have attempted to determine whether running exercise causes osteoarthritis. Available evidence indicates that moderate running in individuals without anatomical variances poses no increased risk for the development or acceleration of osteoarthritis. Runners with abnormal anatomy and those with significant previous injury are at increased risk for the development and progression of lower extremity osteoarthritis.