Question from Robert T. from Erlangen: I have been diagnosed with bilateral hip osteoarthritis due to joint misalignment. So far, I've only noticed it during certain leg movements, I haven't had any pain. It is probably due to overloading the hip through decades of playing tennis and running in the woods. I have given up both in favour of more gentle sports such as swimming or hiking. At my age (66), am I allowed to ride a racing bike, for example on medium hill climbs with short periods of pedalling? I plan to cycle three to four thousand kilometres a year.
Answer from Dr Christian Merkl: I understand from your comments that this is a first to second degree osteoarthritis process in which the joint space is still largely intact. In principle, I am of the opinion that overloading alone does not lead to osteoarthritis of the hip joint - this has been proven by studies on marathon runners or war casualties. However, I think you are right to avoid stop-and-go sports such as tennis, but I would still accept easy, low-intensity running training.
Cycling is ideal for your situation. It provides the joint with regular loading and unloading, which allows nutrients to reach the deeper layers of cartilage. Cycling is therefore part of every rehabilitation programme for degenerative joint diseases: it maintains and improves joint mobility and improves the supply of nutrients to the surrounding soft tissue. The steady and guided movements when pedalling put little strain on the joints. This makes it possible to cycle a good 5,000 kilometres a year, including tougher climbs: compared to running or walking, the cradle pedalling does not overstrain the hip joints.
