Written by Dr Sean Leo, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon whose clinical focus is the knee, sports injuries and the lower limb.

Last updated: 9 October 2026.

In a 2017 review that pooled the results of 17 studies, hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA) was found in 3.5% of recreational runners, 10.2% of sedentary people who did not run, and 13.3% of competitive runners.^[1] The authors could not tell whether these differences were caused by running or by other risk factors, such as previous injury.^[1]

Does running cause arthritis in the knees?
Does running damage your joints?
Does only long-distance running matter?
What else raises the risk of knee OA?
What if I already have knee pain?
Frequently asked questions
When is urgent help needed?
What should I do next?

Does running cause arthritis in the knees?

The 2017 review was a systematic review and meta-analysis, which pools the results of many studies. It asked whether people who run have more hip and knee OA than people who do not.^[1] Recreational runners had a lower occurrence of OA than competitive runners and than the non-running controls.^[1]

Hip and knee OA was found in 13.3% of competitive runners, 3.5% of recreational runners and 10.2% of controls (sedentary people who did not run).^[1]
Competitive runners were professional or elite athletes, or people who took part in international competitions.^[1] Recreational runners were people running in a nonprofessional (amateur) context.^[1]
The authors could not determine whether the associations were causative or confounded by other risk factors, such as previous injury.^[1]

Does running damage your joints?

The review could not determine whether running damages joints. Its authors wrote that a more sedentary lifestyle and long exposure to high-volume or high-intensity running were both associated with hip and/or knee OA.^[1]

A joint injury is a recognised risk factor for OA, particularly overusing a joint that has not had enough time to heal after an injury or operation.^[2]
The review’s authors named previous injury as one of the other risk factors that may confound the link between running and OA.^[1]
For people who already have OA, exercise is strongly recommended.^[3]

Does only long-distance running matter?

The review explored how running intensity affects the link with OA.^[1] Competitive runners had the highest occurrence of hip and knee OA, at 13.3%, and recreational runners had the lowest, at 3.5%.^[1] The authors wrote that long exposure to high-volume and/or high-intensity running is associated with hip and/or knee OA, and they could not determine whether that association is causative.^[1]

What else raises the risk of knee OA?

The exact cause of OA is not known, but several things are thought to increase the risk.^[2]

Joint injury, other conditions that damage joints, increasing age, family history, obesity and being a woman are all thought to raise the risk.^[2]
Exercise or a job that puts frequent strain on the joints and forces them to bear an excessive load can increase the risk.^[2]

It is not possible to prevent OA altogether, but you may be able to lower your risk by avoiding injury and living a healthy lifestyle.^[2] The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) guideline notes that preventive strategies for now focus on weight management and injury prevention.^[3] Read more in the article on weight loss and knee osteoarthritis and in injury prevention tips.

A man slows to a walk on a park path with his hands relaxed at his sides.

What if I already have knee pain?

See a doctor if you have persistent symptoms of OA, so that the diagnosis can be confirmed and any necessary treatment prescribed.^[2] Whether running suits a knee that is painful, or that has OA, is a question for an assessment.

Exercise for knee and hip OA can include walking, strengthening and aquatic exercise (exercise in water), and the ACR found no hierarchy of one over another.^[3] Read about how to manage arthritis pain and about knee cartilage damage.

Frequently asked questions

Is jogging bad for your joints?

In the 2017 review, recreational runners had a lower occurrence of hip and knee OA than the non-running controls.^[1] The authors could not determine whether running was the cause of the difference.^[1]

Can running cause arthritis in the knees?

The review could not determine whether the associations between running and OA were causative or confounded by other risk factors, such as previous injury.^[1]

Should I stop running if my knee hurts?

Persistent joint symptoms are worth taking to a doctor, so that the diagnosis can be confirmed and any necessary treatment prescribed.^[2] A knee that is suddenly very painful, hot, red and swollen needs urgent help, as described below.

When is urgent help needed?

The list below covers the signs that should not wait for a routine appointment.

Signs that need urgent help

Some symptoms should not wait for a routine appointment. Each item below says where to go.

After an injury

The leg looks twisted or bent, a bone is showing, there is a deep cut, or the foot or leg turns cold, pale, numb, blue or white. Go to an emergency department or call 995.
You cannot lift your leg up with the knee kept straight, and you may feel a gap just above or just below the kneecap. Arrange an urgent same-day assessment.

At any time

The knee is stuck and will not straighten, or it is very painful and you cannot move it or put weight on it. Arrange an urgent same-day assessment.
The knee is suddenly very painful, hot, red and swollen, especially with a fever or feeling generally unwell. Go to an emergency department or call 995.
One calf or thigh is newly painful and swollen. Arrange an urgent same-day assessment. If you also feel short of breath or have chest pain, go to an emergency department or call 995.

After knee surgery

The operated knee becomes more painful, swollen or red, a wound is leaking, or you develop a fever. Go to an emergency department or call 995, or contact your surgical team straight away.

If you are admitted by the doctor at the urgent care centre of one of these private hospitals, the Parkway Pantai hospitals (Mount Elizabeth Orchard, Mount Elizabeth Novena, Gleneagles and Parkway East), Farrer Park Hospital and Thomson Medical Centre, you may ask for Dr Sean Leo to be your attending orthopaedic surgeon. If you are instead discharged and referred for orthopaedic follow-up, you may contact the clinic to arrange an appointment. Both are subject to the hospital’s admission processes and to Dr Leo’s availability.

What should I do next?

For anyone whose knee pain is persisting while running, or who wants to understand their own risk of knee arthritis, an assessment is a sensible next step. It brings together the patient’s story, an examination and any tests that help. It looks at the structure involved, the patient as a whole person and the goal they want to return to. An appointment supports an informed decision. It is not a commitment to surgery.

Read about the main types of arthritis and about how to manage arthritis pain.
Arrange a knee assessment when you are ready.
Browse the Knee Hub for other knee problems, or more articles.
Read more about Dr Sean Leo, who is named as the author of this page.

Arrange a knee assessment

Explore knee treatment options

This page provides general information and cannot diagnose an individual condition. OrthoKinetics does not provide emergency or urgent care through this webpage or its WhatsApp contact.

References

Alentorn-Geli E, Samuelsson K, Musahl V, Green CL, Bhandari M, Karlsson J. The Association of Recreational and Competitive Running With Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2017;47(6):373-390. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7137. PMID:28504066.
NHS. Osteoarthritis. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteoarthritis/
Kolasinski SL, Neogi T, Hochberg MC, et al. 2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation Guideline for the Management of Osteoarthritis of the Hand, Hip, and Knee. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2020;72(2):149-162. doi:10.1002/acr.24131. PMCID:PMC11488261.

Does running cause knee arthritis?