joining the post-covid 19 running surge in spite of knee issues

IF PROBLEM KNEES ARE PREVENTING YOU FROM RUNNING OR PARTICIPATING IN RUNNING EVENTS, now might be the time to investigate whether NOT running is the only option for preserving knee health. Dr. Howard Luks, a New York orthopedic surgeon who has contributed articles to medium.com has a perspective that might be of interest to those who question whether running is a healthy exercise, specifically those with osteoarthritis or a degenerative meniscus tear.
 
Luks’ words struck a familiar chord in his article, “Can I Make a Meniscus Tear Worse If I Run On It?” and in another lengthy article he authored on osteoarthritis and exercise. Although in much greater detail, he seems to be providing information paralleling that which was given to me by an expert orthopedic surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.  I had consulted the surgeon for a complex meniscus tear, one of several unsettling MRI study findings that had prompted my decision to seek expert help at the famous center.  
 
These several pieces present a point of view that may be new to some and offer hope as they did to me.  I did resume running about a year ago, after an 18-month break.  However, now I am extra careful NOT to neglect exercise that will protect my knees from further harm: resistance training to build and maintain hip muscle strength, stretching, foam rolling, and working on balance. I place more value on these non-running/walking activities than ever before. 
 
And my training “week” remains flexible, such that long runs are put off according to how my legs feel.  Rather than scheduled every weekend, the biggest mileage run/walks are spaced anywhere from 10-21 days apart, when I feel at 100% with no discomfort. The key to staying injury-free seems to be alternating walking with running in addition to paying attention to strength, balance, and mobility.
 
Check out Dr. Luks articles. If struggling to make a decision about running with arthritis or meniscus degeneration you may find clarity and a way forward.
 
RUN AND MOVE HAPPY!

4/21/20 UPDATE: additional article from medium.com
https://medium.com/@hjluks/exercise-and-knee-arthritis-pain-the-science-says-it-works-cad148a256c8
 
https://medium.com/@hjluks/10-techniques-to-help-you-thrive-with-knee-arthritis-57ba54e6590e

https://www.howardluksmd.com/knee/running-meniscus-tear/

https://www.howardluksmd.com/knee/arthritis-knee/exercise-improves-knee-arthritis-pain/

https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/ny/hospital-for-special-surgery-6212900#common-care-ratings
 
https://www.runnersworld.com/training/a20821860/hip-strengthening-exercises