What would you do?

E

EricaH

Cathlete
I'm a runner and was running 50 miles/week injury-free up until this year. I started having knee pain and was checked for a torn meniscus, but an MRI just showed a lot of degeneration. I also developed swelling/pain on the back of my knee - I'm pretty sure it's a Baker's Cyst. I saw a sports med doctor and then an orthopedic surgeon who recommended that I cross-train more, stretch a lot, cut back on running and take prescription NSAIDs. They said arthroscopic surgery isn't urgent, but something that I should think about - it's entirely up to me. Obviously, I want to avoid that.

I've cut back on running a lot - I'm probably doing a maximum of 28 miles/week now. If I stop running, the pain/swelling at the back of my knee goes away. As soon as I start, the pain/swelling returns. I just read about the risks of long-term NSAID use and decided that I don't want to continue taking them.

I'm thinking that if I want to continue running, I need to have the surgery. I might need it anyway - I don't know how I'm going to feel without the NSAIDs - I just decided to stop taking them.

My question is, would you consider having surgery just to continue recreational running? Or would you just decide that your running days are over? I have to say that I love running and prefer it to any other form of cardio.

Sorry so long!

Erica
 
Erica, I'm sorry about what you're going through. It sucks when you have to stop doing what you love because your body can't cooperate.

I was reading your post over and over because I wanted to say something about NSAIDs use, but my eyes were hooked by: "I'm thinking that if I want to continue running, I need to have the surgery. I might need it anyway..." And I'm reading that as, "I might need the surgery WHETHER OR NOT I run." Is this correct? If so, maybe you just answered your own question.:)

Oh, about NSAIDs use... I take them occasionally for my knees, and sometimes even for my back. My doctor okayed up to 3 Advil (500 mg.) every 4-6 hours TAKEN WITH FOOD for a WEEK, no more than that. I've never had to take them for an entire week as I do the RICE treatment for my knees and that helps a lot. Also limiting weighted standing leg work only once a week, AND high-impact workouts like the Imaxes. I do a lot of things besides, so I've never had to take so much NSAIDs. Like you, I'm not keen on their side effects.

Good luck. I guess you'll get better answers from the runners on this board.

Pinky
 
First off as a fellow distance runner. I am sorry! I will also say I have taken Advil for years with no side affects. It is the best releif for muscle soreness after those long hilly runs! I have had some injuries too but luckily not my knees. I have been blessed there..:)

As for surgery, I have know runners that have had surgery and gotten right back into running distances and some that have not done so well. It is a very tough call. I think I might be inclined to talk to a couple of different surgeons to see what you can expect after surgery.

Try www.runnersworld.com and www.coolrunning.com as both sites have message boards and maybe you can find someone who has had this type of surgery. Keep us posted....:)...Carole
 
Thanks Pinky! I've been taking the NSAIDs regularly for 2 months - my doctor wrote my prescription for 4 months. I started worrying about taking them for so long and did some research and decided that the risks outweigh the benefits.

Yes, I might need the surgery whether or not I run, but running seems to really aggravate my knee. I'll have to wait and see what happens now that I'm off the meds.

Thanks again!

Erica
 
Thanks Carole - I'm definitely going to take a look at the links you posted.

I agree that it's a tough call which is why I'm not rushing into surgery even though my knee drives me nuts sometimes. I'm just not convinced that the outcome will be good. I don't want to go through surgery and recovery and still have problems. I was told that, no matter what, I should never go back to my previous mileage.

Hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Erica
 
Does icing help?

I've suffered from a stress fracture which stopped my running almost 2 years ago, and it's been so hard to get back into it. So hard, and I miss it so much.

I've also had kidney trouble with using Advil all the time, so it's a tough call.

Yoga just doesn't satisfy the runner in me, no matter how good the yoga workout is!!

My aunt was a distance runner and then had knee surgery which only served to make her a slower runner. (She's I think 50+ now and routinely runs a 9 min mile, so I don't think it hurt her too badly!!)

Yuck. What a tough spot. I think you're on the right track with finding as many medical opinions as you can!! Good luck.
 
P.S. Why wouldn't you want to do what you can to continue recreational running? You say you love it and prefer it to any other form of cardio...
 
Hi Erica! Wow, I can soo relate with your emotions right now. I'm sorry you are having to deal with this because I know how much you love to run. The only thing I can say is I'd wait on the surgery and see what happens over the next year since the doctor is saying it isn't urgent. As you know, I just got over a year-long knee injury that prevented me from running at all. I also suspected a Baker's cyst and even more, a torn meniscus. Neither showed up on my MRI. Looong story short, I am back to running now and no pain or swelling. I think it just took a full year to heal and to give it that much time to take the imflamation away. I am taking it very easy and building my time/distance back slowly. I know your situation could be totally different but wanted to give you at least a bit of hope. I know exaclty how you are feeling, trust me! Sending you extra thoughts and prayers and wishing you a speedy recovery. Keep me posted. BIG HUGS 2 U!
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH (AKA "Den Mother Debbie")http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
Icing doesn't seem to help it at all. Most of the swelling is behind my knee - a difficult area to get to.

My concern about doing whatever it takes to continue running is that I don't want to ruin my knee. I'm afraid if I have surgery, they will remove some of the meniscus and whatever else and my knee will never be the same. As much as I love running and can't imagine quitting and not being a runner anymore, I don't want to cripple myself later in life and end up with arthritis and a chronic "bad knee".

For now, I think I'm going to take Debbie's advice and be as patient as possible!

Thanks for the reply and I hope that you can get back to running also!

Erica
 
Thanks Debbie. Your reply really put things in perspective for me about being patient and the fact that my knee could heal if I just give it some time.

I broke my ankle in '97 and it took a full year to heal. I had two surgeries and my doctors were baffled as to why I still had so much pain. I thought I would have to limp and walk with pain for the rest of my life. Suddenly, the pain was gone and I was able to resume exercising. I had forgotten all about that until I read your post!

Did you ever find out what was wrong with your knee? Were you taking any meds for it? My biggest problem is that the swelling behind the knee makes it very uncomfortable to bend it, so sitting causes a lot of discomfort. We're going on vacation soon - a 12 hour drive - and I have no idea how I'm going to sit that long with my knee bent. :-(

Hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Erica
 
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