When a patient with hip or knee osteoarthritis wants to keep running, should you encourage them? Or will high-impact activity increase their likelihood of needing a joint replacement?
In this research review, Tom Goom (Running Physio) examines a new study of more than 17,500 people with hip or knee osteoarthritis and explores what the findings mean for runners and clinical practice.
You’ll discover:
- How to interpret the relationship between high-impact activity and joint replacement without mistaking association for causation.
- The important limitations that affect how confidently you can apply the findings.
- How pain, general health, obesity, previous injury and muscle function may influence joint health.
- How to identify a manageable level of running for patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis.
- Which symptom responses suggest the joint is tolerating running—and which signs indicate the load may need adjusting.
- How this study fits within the wider evidence on running, osteoarthritis and joint health.
Resources
- Free running resources
- Free patellofemoral pain masterclass webinar
- Join Clinical Edge
- Running Repairs Online
- Physio Edge podcast
- Tom Goom: YouTube and running-physio.com
Reference
Liew BX, Grønne DT, Roos EM, Skou ST. High-impact physical activity participation and 12-month risk of joint replacement: a longitudinal mediation analysis of 17 661 patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis. Br J Sports Med. 2026 Jul 1. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2026-111824
NOTE: This video is aimed at health professionals and is not designed to replace medical advice or recommend high-impact exercise on an individual basis. If you are injured or in pain, please see a qualified health professional for advice specific to your needs.
More episodes of The Paper Round
This is the first episode of The Paper Round, where Tom Goom reviews newly published running research and shows you how to apply it in clinic. New episodes are released inside Running Repairs Online, alongside Tom's complete course on assessing and treating running injuries.
Click here for your access to every episode of The Paper Round with Running Repairs Online, or watch it here if you're enrolled in Running Repairs Online.