Actually it can, I can not run on a track or treadmill because of the impact. I have compartment syndrome in both legs, one compartment had to be cut 11 inches open and left the skin and everything open for 5 days in the hospital to let the swelling expand and contract. Then the skin was sewn shut and the compartment left open by about 9 inches. The other shin has not been cut yet and if i run for any period of time the muscle swells extremely.
but i guess im sort of a rare case.
The eliptical is not natural to my stride but close enough that i can finally do some “running” again.