09: Knee OA in the Master Runner, Should You Keep Running?

Welcome to Interdisciplinary Case Miles, a podcast where real runner stories meet clinical expertise.In Episode 10, Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards (PT), Dr. Sara Raiser (MD), and sports dietitian Kelsey Pontius address a very common question: Can you keep running with knee osteoarthritis?Using the case of a 60-year-old male runner with knee OA, the team walks through how clinicians evaluate pain, imaging, goals, and functional limitations to help runners make informed decisions about continuing to train. The discussion covers activity modification, gait retraining, strength and mobility work, physical therapy, injections, regenerative medicine options, and when knee replacement may become part of the conversation.The episode also highlights the role of nutrition, hydration, inflammation management, and consistency in supporting joint health and long-term running longevity especially for master’s athletes. As always, rather than offering black-and-white answers, the hosts emphasize individualized care, realistic expectations, and meeting runners where they are. This episode reinforces a core message of Interdisciplinary Case Miles: staying active with OA is often possible, but it requires an individualized, interdisciplinary approach.In this episode, you’ll learn:How knee osteoarthritis is evaluated in runnersWhen running may still be appropriate and how to modify itThe role of physical therapy, gait retraining, and strength workInjection and regenerative medicine options for knee OANutrition strategies to support joint health and recoveryHow to think about longevity, pain management, and performance00:00 – 02:30 | What this podcast is aboutAn interdisciplinary approach to keeping runners healthy and active.02:30 – 05:00 | The case: 60-year-old runner with knee OAAnterior/medial knee pain and the big question—can I keep running?05:00 – 09:30 | How clinicians decide if running is appropriateImaging, goals, symptom history, and functional exams matter more than age alone.09:30 – 13:30 | Using pain to guide training decisionsWhy pain doesn’t have to be zero—but must stay controlled to avoid gait changes.13:30 – 18:30 | Physical therapy priorities for knee OABalance, quad/glute/core strength, and restoring mobility across the kinetic chain.18:30 – 23:00 | Injection options explainedSteroids vs. hyaluronic acid (“oil change”) and realistic expectations for pain relief.23:00 – 27:30 | Regenerative medicine: who benefits mostPRP, mild-to-moderate OA, bone pain considerations, and insurance realities.27:30 – 32:30 | Gait retraining and shoe changesCadence, footwear, and subtle form tweaks to reduce knee stress while running.32:30 – 36:30 | Training modifications for longevityCross-training, deloads, and strategic adjustments instead of stopping running.36:30 – 41:00 | Running after knee replacementCurrent recommendations, real-world experiences, and individualized decisions.41:00 – 46:00 | Nutrition strategies to support joint healthAnti-inflammatory foods, hydration challenges in master’s athletes, and consistency.46:00 – 49:30 | Lifestyle factors that affect recoveryEating patterns, fueling consistency, and supporting healing capacity.49:30 – 52:00 | Key takeaways & closing thoughtsPain management, teamwork, and why nutrition is always part of the equation.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/interdisciplinary-case-miles--6623567/support.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow and subscribe so you never miss a case.Have a question or a case you'd like us to explore on the show? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out anytime at [email protected].