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Hi all, long time since I've posted on here. wanted to get some advice re. a recent diagnosis of Arthritis. I've been running seriously for about 5 years now, building up to getting an entry into Lakeland 100 next year. but, I've had some real persistent, bad pain in my left hip.
Physio just hasn't helped, although leg strength work definitely helps the pain, but not all the time. So I went for MRI etc. and that's uncovered arthritis in my left hip. that was last week. I ran 8 miles on Sunday and all this week it's been really painful.
So what do I do? do i continue with leg strength / physio and hope i can manage pain, or do i sack it all off, realise my running days are over and buy a zwift ride 🙂
very keen to hear peoples coping techniques, for those that are living with arthritis..
thanks
What does your Doc say? Everyone will be different depending on lots of factors.
My experience is maybe not what you want to hear but I packed in running some years ago due to my arthritis. Maybe I could have gone on but I thought why bother risking bigger problems down the line, better to manage my issues (ankylosing spondylitis ) and hope I benefit Long term/as I age. I am still active, I just avoid the impact stuff like running/football. Am I better for it, I don’t know as I am stiff as a board these days and mid 50s, (really need to start Pilates or something). As for medication, I generally avoided it for years taking the odd arcoxia if I had a bad flare, which worked as things were not too bad. However after many years I feel I am deteriorating a bit so waiting for a rheumatologist appointment/scans to see what’s what as I am now taking Imuran/infiximab for other autoimmune stuff that we thought might help the arthritis too but doesn’t seem to.
however, my brother in law had to get his hip replaced in his 50s due to arthritis and was back playing 5 aside so it’s not stopped him, well the 2 recent dislocations have made him have a rethink.
I can't comment on your case specifically, but in general the advice for osteoarthritis has flipped 180 in the past few years.
We used to advice against high impact exercise, nowadays we tend to preach about maintaining function using painkillers, and reassurance that increased pain doesn't correlate with increased levels of damage.
The advice then becomes that once you reach the level that you are no longer able to continue the activities that you want to, despite taking the maximum pain relief that you can tolerate, it's time to consult with an orthopaedic surgeon.
I am neither a surgeon nor a physiotherapist.
You may have different luck to me. 4.5 years ago slight pain in hip whilst riding (ardRock and Fred Whitton), a little while later I gave up running when the pain got too bad and I couldn't keep up jogging with my teenage daughter - joined the local cycle club to ensure I was still motivated to get out.
Physio didn't make much difference, then about 2 years on anti inflametries. Finally saw Orthapedics who put me on the waiting list for hip replacement. I got to the stage that walking was painful and could only manage about 0.5 miles.
I'm now recovering from a hip resurfacing after an 18 month waiting list. I'm not cycling again yet but hopefully soon. Not sure on running yet but my marathon days are over.
Having badly fractured my hip socket and pelvis in January, the doctors said no running after recovery as it could bring on arthritis early due to the damage. I wasn't a runner being a cyclist so it didn't matter to me.
Any impact sport will make arthritis worse. Speak to a professional.
if you have been diagnosed with arthritis and can still run i would say carry on. just managed the pain. arthritis is not reversable. i had a hip replacement 10 years ago. i played my last 5 years of rugby with the diagnosis. good pain relief until replacement.
Everyone’s situation is unique ad people will be at different stages
Early signs for me were if I’d gone for a run, after driving home I’d get out of the car and my groin would hurt like hell a very sharp pain for a minute or two but then go away
Started waking up in the night unable to sleep on one side .
Later on holiday I was riding the bike and I could barely sit on the saddle, felt like under carriage was all bruised.
Next day went for a run , no issues , climbed over a wall outside the house , a quick sharp pain, thought nothing of it, showered , then pain like I’ve never know it.
was quite scary really, couldn’t pee, erections etc. . Quick MRI, Bursitis and labral tears and sciatica
Consultant said both hips showing signs of arthritis. Too far gone for resurfacing, but not bad enough for replacement
Then went through probably 2 years of tears happening randomly. When it happens it’s like someone sticking a red hot poker up your arse.
I asked them to do an op but they said I wasn’t ready which I really couldn’t understand
It started settling so I tried running, big mistake, more pain
Last year bought an emtb and I’m now fitter than I’ve been in years and relatively pain free. Still get shooting pains occasionally. I don’t take drugs at all but have them with me if I’m away etc. I accept that doing some things or walking up a hill in the lakes will leave me in pain the next day
I really miss running , but know I can’t do it now.
2 years ago I was wanting new hips but in honesty now I’m probably glad I didn’t
Thanks all. had a really crappy week. but your comments have helped me put a level of perspective on it.
Can i still run? Yes.
Am i going to have to adapt? Yes.
Will i have crappy weeks? Yes.
seems about the size of it. I am going to get back in the gym for strength and I'm going to get back on the bike. Going back to my Physio next month for some more detail on all these things. fingers crossed i can be on the start line for Lakeland 100...
The good news is cycling is good for arthritis. I was back on the bike as soon as allowed. The worry was the fractures could have left a rough surface so I figured might as well get riding as none impact and might make the hip socket heal a bit smoother as it repairs over a year (docs timeline).