Peer Reviewed
Sports medicine

Osteoarthritis: when to promote exercise

David J Hunter
Abstract
Despite the common misconception that exercise can be potentially damaging to joints, there is no firm evidence to support a deleterious effect of exercise in the setting of normal joints and moderate activity. Indeed, exercise is a central component of any effort to conservatively manage osteoarthritis and should be actively encouraged in individuals with normal joints and no prior joint injury.
Key Points

    Exercise and sport involvement are widely promoted as having salutary benefits for aiding weight control, cardiovascular disease and diabetes and for improving psychological wellbeing, among an array of other benefits. In contrast, however, is the lay press and community perception that exercise can also be potentially deleterious to joints, in particular those of the lower extremities.

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