Cycling with Osteoarthritis

Fuh Q

Hi all,

Does anyone cycle with Osteoarthritis ?

I have Ankle Osteoarthritis and could do with losing some weight and getting fit, Ive read that cycling is a good form of exercise as it is a low impact sport unlike running, football etc.

Even though I have a damaged joint its supposed to be better for it if I exercise, increased blood flow, strengthening the muscles, ligaments, tendons around it and in many cases decreases pain.

Has anyone tried cycling with arthritis ?

Zen0

Mods will be along here shortly to ensure nobody is giving medical advice; talk to your doctor about it.

However, in answer to the question "does anybody cycle with osteoarthritis" I have osteoarthritis in both my hips. Did the Wicklow 200 this year. Doesn't seem to do me too much harm, and getting out on the bike is one of those things which makes life worth living. Admittedly, hips can be replaced when they eventually wear out, and when that happens I plan to cycle on the new ones too.

If the doc says it's OK, get a bike that fits properly, and with low gears so that you are spinning rather than grinding.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Not in my ankle, but in all my fingers and back from Judo over the years so there's nothing I can really say accept to agree about having the bike fit for you ~ a good reputable dealership will provide the service (some charge, some don't), it'll make a massive difference to your cycling experience.

I'd also talk to a reputable dealer about your condition as they'll have the experience of finding bikes to suit most people.

Best of luck.

ednwireland

MOD NOTE : charter specifically states
"3. Medical Advice

We appreciate the temptation to seek other peoples experiences for low level physical problems that present themselves. But no one here is in a position to physically assess and diagnose you. You risk greater harm than good. These threads will be locked."

so lets keep away from any medical advice

thanks

Fuh Q

Thanks for the reply, just to clarify for the mods, I am not looking for medical advice, just would like to hear about peoples experiences and opinions.

Beasty

Got arthritis in the wrist and back, but symptoms have definitely improved since I started cycling. As already mentioned though you should really check with your doctor who should have your full medical history and can advise if there are any issues with cycling

Eamonnator

I have osteoarthritis. I had one hip replaced, in 2010. Before the operation, I started back on the bike, to lose weight and gain fitness. When I had my hip replaced, I thought, that I would have to have the other hip and both my knees replaced in short order. After the replacement, I got back on the bike, as quickly as possible. Since then, I have averaged about 15,000 kilometres per year.
My 2nd hip is much better than it was. My knees give me problems, particularly going up stairs, but I find, that the more I cycle, the better, they are. My doctor says, that it is because, I have built up muscle around my joints.
On the bike, I have no pain in my hips, but I have a pretty constant, low level, pain in my knees. My back and elbows have also improved, since I upped my mileage.
I find, that, if I don't cycle for a few days, my joints stiffen up.
I di the Tour of Kildare today, 110K, my average speed was about 33kph.
I am 63.
I hope, this helps and encourages you.

Fuh Q

Eamonnator wrote: »

I have osteoarthritis. I had one hip replaced, in 2010. Before the operation, I started back on the bike, to lose weight and gain fitness. When I had my hip replaced, I thought, that I would have to have the other hip and both my knees replaced in short order. After the replacement, I got back on the bike, as quickly as possible. Since then, I have averaged about 15,000 kilometres per year.
My 2nd hip is much better than it was. My knees give me problems, particularly going up stairs, but I find, that the more I cycle, the better, they are. My doctor says, that it is because, I have built up muscle around my joints.
On the bike, I have no pain in my hips, but I have a pretty constant, low level, pain in my knees. My back and elbows have also improved, since I upped my mileage.
I find, that, if I don't cycle for a few days, my joints stiffen up.
I di the Tour of Kildare today, 110K, my average speed was about 33kph.
I am 63.
I hope, this helps and encourages you.

Thats impressive, I was worried about cycling with just an ankle problem...

nak

Osteoarthritis in my knees; cycle 6 days a week and do a bit of racing. As long as I keep my knees warm and don't mash a big gear, I generally have no issues.

eeeee

I have arthritis in both knees, my left hip and spine. If I don't stay fit I seize up altogether. I do between 200 - 300k on the road and am on track 3 times a week, racing one. The very best thing you can do is move. I swim quite a lot for pain management and stretch a bit. I'm young enough (29) so my flexibility is good but if I go even a day without a cycle or a swim I'm buckled. I can't stand or walk long distances, steps hurt but cycling is fantastic, as is the pool.
If I'm really sore I'll hit the jacuzzi/steam room then plunge pool (repeat, repeat, repeat!) at the pool and that helps the pain and stiffness a good bit.
Go for it, you won't know yourself

Fuh Q

gadetra wrote: »

I have arthritis in both knees, my left hip and spine. If I don't stay fit I seize up altogether. I do between 200 - 300k on the road and am on track 3 times a week, racing one. The very best thing you can do is move. I swim quite a lot for pain management and stretch a bit. I'm young enough (29) so my flexibility is good but if I go even a day without a cycle or a swim I'm buckled. I can't stand or walk long distances, steps hurt but cycling is fantastic, as is the pool.
If I'm really sore I'll hit the jacuzzi/steam room then plunge pool (repeat, repeat, repeat!) at the pool and that helps the pain and stiffness a good bit.
Go for it, you won't know yourself

Im the same, I find that the more I rest the stiffer and more painful it gets. I cant stand for long periods unless im moving and I cant walk long distances. Like you, steps are a challenge and walking on hills and uneven surfaces is a nightmare. I have a physical job and I walk around my estate every evening and I find it helps, when I was not working and was just resting I was crippled, at one stage I couldnt make it down the hall without a crutch.
Anyway, its good to hear that exercise helps.

TiBoy

I have arthritis in my neck and shoulder arising from a cycling crash!. Following 5 months off my bike I got medical advice that it was ok to cycle and I train 10 hours per week on average. Regular cycling helps with keeping pain minimized. On cold winter days its a little bit painful but nothing of significance, a thermal neck warmer helps.

Get some medical advice preferably from a doctor who either specializes or understands sports medicine. I'm lucky in that both my orthopedic specialist and GP are involved in sports.

Best of luck.

Fuh Q

I went out on my sons old mountain bike with a dodgy crank, wobbly peddles and a squeak. Only done 4.5 kms on bad roads.
It was just a test run, I had no painful after affects, in fact a damaged ligament in my ankle has given me no trouble since.
The only problem is, I want to go again and I have no bike..

Rob Thomas

I have AS and it's certainly true for me that you have to stay active and fit if you are to avoid stiffness and pain. I've started cycling regularly in the past few months and I've found it excellent for me.

eeeee

Another thing I find that helps is wearing the least concussive shoes you can get. I wear MBT's, they're ugly, but as far as pain relief goes they're great. They roll the foot around rather than *stamp* landing that normal shoes have so the shock is dissipated more. I get very sore in normal hard-soled shoes after a while. They work for me but everyone's different so you never know. But they might be worth a try.

CardinalJ

I don't have arthritis and feel left out. Fair play to all of you and best of luck to OP.

cdaly_

gadetra wrote: »

Another thing I find that helps is wearing the least concussive shoes you can get. I wear MBT's, they're ugly, but as far as pain relief goes they're great.

Can you cycle in them? And can you get MTB MBTs so you can clip in?...

steamengine

I'm in my mid sixties and cycle about 10 miles daily to keep reasonably fit. Over many years I had stiffness of the knee joints, some ankle problems as well. Some years back I started taking the standard bottled cod liver oil in the mornings, before breakfast. Excellent results, from both the cycling and the cod liver oil. :-)

eeeee

cdaly_ wrote: »

Can you cycle in them? And can you get MTB MBTs so you can clip in?...

You can't get one's you clip into sadly, but I do cycle in them. They're quite spongy though, not for speed!