Anyone train with arthritis

I'm starting develop arthritis in my left hand.  I fractured it and dislocated a couple of fingers a couple of years ago.  My surgeon told me it was inevitable that I would develop arthritis in the knuckle that I hurt the worst.  The pain isn't too bad, but I do feel like I'm gradually losing strength in the hand.

Mark 

I train with Lupus, which involves joint pain (similar to arthritis) plus a few other things.  It is mainly in my feet, knees, hips, and hands.  I try to follow my training plan as much as possible, but there are many, many days that I have to go elliptical with my run.  Well over 50% of the time.  In a race I will try to run, and walk if I can't.  I've learned to be okay with that as I'd rather walk than not participate. 

As far as what I do to make the pain a little more tolerable...I have used those instant ice packs and shoved them in a knee brace, ankle brace, or bike glove.  I recently ordered some "Kool Wraps" which are thinner wraps that have a cooling gel inside.  They sound promising. There are also instant heat packs/wraps that might work for some.  I take glucosamine, hyaluronic acid, and chondroitin which actually does seem to help my knees.  There are also cortisone/lidocaine injections that I can get for the inflammation in my joints, but I'm not sure they do that for arthritis or not. 

Good luck.

I was diagnosed with osteo arthritis in both knees 4 years ago, I was heavily into kick boxing at the time, and the thought of doing a triathlon wasn't even a twinkle in my eye

at the time I was diagnosed, I could hardly walk up or down stairs without tears welling up in my eyes from pain and my knees were swollen every night

the dr recommended that I give up kick boxing and start biking and get back into swimming - I did some research and found several articles that stated that strengthing the muscles around the joint can add more support and relieve some of the symptomatic pain -

so, I gave it a try, I started a spinning class and got back in the pool

What ended up happening is that, I strengthened the muscular structure around my knees enough that I could start running, albeit slow

I find that as long as I listen to my body and don't push too hard, I can run without pain in my knees

I don't know if there are similar things for ankles, but it may be worth exploring

good luck and best wishes!

Good to find this thread.  A recent MRI indicated grade 3 chondromalacia in my right knee, and I know my left knee is not that far behind.  I see an orthopedic surgeon to discuss the diagnosis and the action plan for conserving what cartilage remains.

From the research I have conducted, I believe this will include: strengthening the quadriceps muscle if there is imbalance, losing some weight, eliminating running (at least until I am lighter), and who knows what else.

I am incredibly bummed at the likely possibility of giving up solo triathlons.  I do know plenty of runners, so relays are a possibility, but still not the same {sigh}.  

I found out recently that I have osteoarthritis in my knees.  In my case, I apparently upped my time/distance too quickly, and that led to my arthritic knees leaking joint fluid all over the place.  I now have a Baker's cyst I'm waiting to clear up, which put me off running or biking for a while.

I guess I need to reassess where the line is between "HTFU" & "listen to your body, take it slow". 

Glucosamine/Chondroitin

Advil before running--always.

Ice and ice baths after longer runs

Avoid hard surfaces (grass, then dirt/gravel trails, then blacktop, then roads, then concrete, in order of preference)

XT (aqua jogging, ET, etc)

No running on back to back days

Bracing or taping solution for after runing and on days when it is bad

And, finally...a high pain threshold ;-)