I have thought about starting to do some running to help with my fitness and lose some weight (am about 100kg). I had always thought that running was bad for knees but heard recentley that it was the opposite. I also only have a bit a cartlifge left in my right knee as most of it was removed about 20 years ago

The impact can be hard on joints. But running in a straight line is significantly less harmful to your knees than sports where you have to change direction all the time, like squash or 5-a-side football.

A mate who is a keen footballer snapped his ACL and had it rebuilt, he’ll never play football again but is able to run and has recently done a 1/2 marathon at 90+kg with no issues.

Correct running shoes – Have a gait test done on a treadmill and don’t spend the whole time running on the road.

I tore my meniscus running though so what do i know. Back up to some serious Kms now though so all good.

At 100kg and only a small amount of cartlidge left in your right knee I would seriously give running a miss unless it’s on some sort of cross training machine at a gym. Thought about swimming instead?

FWIW I got cuts all over the cartlidge in my left knee after a road accident and was advised by specialists that running wasn’t a good idea.
I’m a similar weight to you and if I jog for more than 5 minutes it starts to hurt.

Running actually strenghtens ligaments and cartiledge in your legs and joints

Very few things are better than running for fitness and weight loss. I have problems with both of my knees and that’s why I started cycling. I still run occasionally because it’s a quick way to get a good work out (straight out the back door) but when I feel any niggles I lay off it. Don’t do any silly distances and listen to your body. A treadmill will be a little better on the knees but might bore you to death.

Any exercise is going to help build and the muscles around the knee and therefore support them.

I used to do alot of skiing and at 37 I am starting to suffer from mild arthritis. Mrs FD who is an orthopeadic surgeon suggest that the best way for me to minimise its affects is to exercise.

I havent done much exercise for the last year having a 1 year old son. She suggested that cycling was the best exercise to do to start with to build up muscle bulk and strength and only then do some running. She said in moderation running will help as again it strengthens the muscles.

S

Running does transfer impact into your knees (or ankles/ achilles if you follow the latest fad and try to run on your toes) but there is evidence that suggests that runners suffer fewer knee problems than non-runners in later life.

Most runners have had a knee injury at some point, usually down to doing too much, too soon. You need to build up what you’re doing slowly.

Of course, there is an alternative…

Running off-road is awesome. Compare mtb to road riding and all the benefits of off-road are the same for running. And the softer ground is good for your knees.