Hey chester, I've had a locked bucket handle tear in my left knee that had me in a wheel chair for two months and the only way to fix it was to have a portion of it removed. I also had an ACL replacement in the same knee (Aug 05) that had me off work for 5 months and I ended up getting a blood clot in my lung. My OS told me that it wasn't a good idea to run in April/06 and I ran a 5k in May. Shortly after that I changed to cycling and I just hung up the bike about 3 weeks ago because of the icy roads. Now my thighs are really strong and it's because of their strength that I am able to run. I have signed up for my first half marathon in May and I run 4-5 times per week. You may want to consider another sport for awhile to strengthen you legs. Perhaps that may help. I know that it may not be exactly what you want to hear, but there are ways of proving the nay-sayers wrong.....if you do it the right way. Best of luck.

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The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person who is doing it.

-Chinese Proverb

I was in a car accident 24 years ago. I broke both of my hips, my pelvis, my right heel, my right ankle, and the cartilage on my left knee was cut. I was in traction for 6 weeks....then a wheelchair, a walker, crutches, and eventually back on my own two feet.

The docs told me I'd never walk without a noticeable limp, and I would not be able to run again. They also told me I'd be looking at arthritis and hip replacments by the time I was 35.

Well....I didn't listen to them AT ALL! I was a runner then, and I still am - 27 years of running, which includes 3 marathons and dozens of half marathon, and countless 10Ks and 5Ks.

Oh sure, I have some aches and pains that are becoming more noticeable, and I am getting a little arthritis (I'm 48). I don't have a limp, and overall I feel GREAT!

Now, the problem is my left knee needs arthroscopic surgery to repair (as much as possible) a rough meniscus and patella. My OS (also) said NO MORE RUNNING...ugh! He said maybe a couple miles on a treadmill ocassionally, but that should be it!

SO, I definitely feel your pain. I'm looking to get a second opinion from a sports doc, and I'll be pushing for some physical therapy.

I'm happy to do some cross-training because I've always enjoyed lots of different things...but give up running??? NOPE! That's why I'm having this surgery in the first place...so I can CONTINUE!!

Our doctors just don't know how TOUGH we are! We need to be smart about this, for sure, and take the steps to ease back into our running, listen to our bodies when they tell us to step back, but give it up?? That's just CRAZY TALK

Since you have had recurring problems, I think you should get some advice from a sports physician and some physical therapists. They usually understand the need and can assist you in creating a rehabilitation program that will get you back out there, if AT ALL POSSIBLE.

Good luck and take care! Keep us posted.
Pat

Oh goodness, I am just reading this 1 1/2 years after it was posted. Chester055 are you receiving this e-mail? If so, I will respond if I hear from you.