Osteoarthritis in Marathon Runners, Antibiotic Resistance & Ankle Injuries.

Brad Petrisor

MD FRCS(C)

Professor, Surgery, McMaster University

View More

Mohit Bhandari

FRCSC, PhD

Distinguished University Professor, Chair of Surgery, McMaster University

Ellen Scholl

Data Scientist, OrthoEvidence

Long-distance running and osteoarthritis anchor this episode as the hosts review AAOS data showing marathoners report roughly 7% hip or knee OA, with no clear link between cumulative running history and arthritis—though biases and self-report limitations temper certainty. Prior meta-analysis suggests a U-shaped pattern: no running and very high-volume running both associate with more OA, while moderate recreational running may be protective. Guest Tom Wood describes the high mechanical load and injury risk of endurance training, emphasizing cumulative mileage and periodized training as central to long-term joint stress. The Fast Five turns to antibiotic resistance as a major global threat, with rising resistance, few new agents, and continued reliance on perioperative prophylaxis in orthopedics. Three high-profile ankle injuries—Kevin Durant, Bianca Andreescu, and Derek Brassard—highlight mechanisms, prognosis, and the challenge of ligament injury versus fractures. A recent RCT showing similar 2-year outcomes for removable braces versus casts reinforces modern early-mobilization principles after ankle fracture.