05/02/2026
Stop Telling Runners Their Knees Are “Bone on Bone”
It’s one of the biggest myths in the clinic: “I shouldn’t run; it’ll wear out my joints.”
The reality? Research actually shows that recreational runners have lower rates of knee osteoarthritis compared to sedentary individuals.
Why running is actually “Vitamin R” for your knees:
Cartilage Loves Loading: Just like muscles get stronger with lifting, joint cartilage adapts and gets more resilient when exposed to the regular loading of running.
Lubrication: Movement helps circulate synovial fluid, which keeps your joints “greased” and healthy.
Weight Management: Running helps maintain a healthy weight, which significantly reduces the actual load on your joints throughout the day.
The issue isn’t the running itself—it’s usually too much, too soon, or a lack of strength elsewhere.
