Conventional wisdom has it that running is bad for your knees. But is that really true, or is it just another medical myth? The medical literature offers some answers.

A 2008 study found that knee arthritis was not more common in long-distance runners. A 2006 German study found the same thing.

A 1998 study found that older runners and non-runners had the same rate of knee and hip arthritis, though the runners had higher bone density.

Finally, runners tend to suffer less overall disability than people who don't run, according to a 2006 study. This may be because running improves overall health, and reduces body weight, leading to less stress on joints. This is not to mention the running benefits on cardiovascular health.

Now having said all that, it is certainly true that many people run into knee pain when running. There is even a disease named "Runner's Knee" to remind us of the idea that running can bring with it knee injuries and pain. Chondromalacia patellae is the medical term for Runner's Knee, and doctors think friction between the kneecap and the femur underneath leads to inflammation and pain.

Other sports like gymnastics seem to bring far higher rates of Chondromalacia patellae, but the disease is troublesome for the few that have it. Proper training, including warming up and not "overdoing it" with sporadic intense exercise, could help avoid injury. People with Runner's Knee are advised to use the "RICE" technique (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) to get relief, and if that is not enough, to seek the help of an orthopaedist, or physical therapist.

For more information, AOL Health ran an interesting piece last year about this very subject.

So do not fear running for the sake of your knees. It might just save your life.

Take care,

Dr. Mike