Not just for older women ... I had a disease that (among other things) breaks down collagen, which in turn broke down a lot of cartilage in my joints. I was lucky; some people are crippled for life.
Admittedly, I take NSAIDs a lot, mostly ibuprofen, sometimes diclofenac if things are unusually worse. I've found that targeted physical therapy and then strength training to strengthen the muscles and other existing connective tissues around the most troublesome joints very helpful, and things go off the rails pretty fast if I let that go. I've found chiropractic very helpful in pain management. I've found yoga helpful for all sorts of things. Some people really benefit from acupuncture; I haven't tried that yet.
If you can afford therapeutic massage (by someone who knows what they're doing), that's very helpful too--increases circulation around the joints, or whatever it does. It helps.
This isn't available where I live, but I have heard both from people I know who have had it done as well as read a fair bit online about autologous chondrocyte implantation.
It's been my experience that I actually do better with long-course / low intensity than with short-course / high intensity. It may be the case for you and others that yeah, you do what you can do, like short course / low intensity until you can't. One of my friends still does long course, but trains to walk the run portion. I also aquajog a fair portion of the running. I've found that if I keep some significant part on the road (a third, a half) that's enough for the structural adaptations without the extra wear.
All the best to you -- I really hope you can find a combination of things that keeps you in the mix.
Yanti Ardie of Y Tri Multisport & Majick Juice for lasting critter defense & skin soothing
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