Subject: RE: Outcome lateral meniscus injuryYes... I've got lots of experience with ACL reconstruction.
Had mine rebuilt in 1988. They used my tendon, pulled it up and drilled it into my knee. Yeah, sucked big time. Crutches, then a cane and a significant limp for about 3 years. They removed 100% meniscus and 100% cartilage. It's all gone. Every bit of it. Kind of an Osteo-nightmare.
Surgeon said I'd never run again. So, of course a couple years later I started again. I found the more I ran the better I felt. Seems that the more I ran the stronger my knee became.
Now fast forward 27 years. That's when it all caught up to me. Because of bone on bone, I ended up fracturing my femur and tibia.The Osteo-Arthritis has eaten away pretty much most of what was left of my knee.
Had two more surgeons say "you'll never run again - ever". Both said I needed a full knee replacement. Neither would do the surgery because they knew I would start running again and they felt it would destroy the appliance.
I spent 7 months aqua-jogging and got a DonJoy Offloader brace. Started running again. April 1st of this year I finished my first Iron distance Tri, so I guess you could say I'm back on the road.
Now, I'm not saying I never have pain. And anything other than a leisurely walk and I need to put the brace on, but it's keeping me on the road.
I honestly believe the key is proper running form.
So don't give up hope. I'm still out there fighting the fight!
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Dave |