I had my ACL (achielles allo) and lateral and medial meniscus(removed) done Nov 9, 05.  I also had injury to my MCL but no repair done to it.  My injury happened in June in a motocross accident. 

I've been running since Jan 9.  I've been only running no more than 20 minutes at 7-7.5 on the treadmill.   I am gradually taking it up in time.  I will say that I do feel my knee when I run.  Its not real painful but its not like my other knee.  My PT says it normal and it will pass.  Also I noticed that the speed I am running seems to be the most comfortable.  If I run slower or faster it hurts.  I just make sure to ice it after I am done.  The more I run the less I feel it over time.

I just had an ACL replacement on Dec 21 with a cadaver ligament. My recovery has been incredible! I went into the surgery probably fitter than I have ever been and I honostly think that helped me out greatly! Anyway, post surgery my ortho and I discussed having very agressive PT. My PT's are in my orhto's office and they discussed my case prior to me getting there. Within 24 hours of surgery I had exercises sent home with me to begin bending my knee as much as was tolorable. I worked diligently on these home exercises. By 2 weeks after the surgery I thought I would go insane and was falling into a deep depression because of the lack of exercise. My PT's had me on a bike 2.5 weeks after surgery. I have been biking like crazy!! My PT has been going exceptionally well and even the PT's have been amazed at my progress! Last Wednesday which was 5 weeks post surgery I was released to the eliptical and some VERY light EASY jogging on the treadmill only until April. I only do this jogging every other day for now. I'm having some aching and the back of my knee is sore but, my PT's and dr. said this is all very normal and it will pass in time. Icing helps, I have no swelling at all. Skypenny thanks for putting me at ease prior to my surgery and so far "Yes" it was worth it!!

Hey SkyPenny, Nope I'm 40 soon to be 41 in April. Yes, I'd say I was a heavy miles runner I ran the Philly marathon with the torn ACL and yes, torn cartlidge. My knee had finally had enough at mile 19 and I walked, limped and tried to run just to make it to the finish line. I was up to 55 miles a week at that point. The ortho while in there replaced the ACL, fixed the torn cartidge and said the MCL looked fine. I'm up to 1.25 miles every other day right now and I have chosen to take it slow. I don't plan to run a marathon until MAYBE fall Detroit in October but, I know that I'm running Disney in January. I want to re-build and be strong when I run my next marathon. The first time they put me on the treadmill I was just grins from ear to ear!! Yes, I'm running slower than I normally do but, I know it will get better. I'm also cross training like a mad women!! Bike and eliptical and I throw weights in there here and there. Trust me, I have even amazed my PT's.Do you go to PT?? What do they have you doing? THey just added lateral slides to my regimin of things to do. I also went out and bought a bunch of things so I could rehab on non-rehab days. I have PT 3 days a week still until Feb. 21st and then I see my Ortho. again. Keep your chin up better days will be here before you know it. I'm just thankful that it's during the winter so by spring I'll be so ready to run outside again. Right now I'm just happy to be doing 1.25 miles!!!! If you need more cheering up let me know, I'd be happy to. Or if you want to talk or compare notes, you can always e-mail me!!!! It will get better!!!!

Hey SkyPenny,
How the heck did you get your insurance to cover that much PT? My insurance only covers 60 days of PT a year. By the way how did you injury your MCL on the treadmill? My PT has me doing alot of strengthening exercises.  Anyway, weight gain. This is my biggest concern!!! I have not really gained any weight yet (knock on wood). SInce I began running I lost 70 pounds and I don't want to go back to that person ever again. 7 pounds isn't bad and once you get back to a regimn it will come off. I'm a little bummed because I can't eat the way I did when I was running high miles and still losing weight. Hopefully we'll both be back  and training for a marathon soon. I'm bummed because I'm missing Boston, but it will always be there. I did it last year. What kind of cross training do you do? How much time do you spend on them?

Hey SkyPenny,

How are you doing?? Just thought I would check up on you.

I am grins from ear to ear!!! My runs are getting better and better every couple of days! I did 3 miles Saturday and THis morning, I'm up for 3.5 miles tomorrow morning. Luckily I have a coach to keep me in check with my runs. If I didn't have him I know I would be going full tilt! The soreness is pretty much gone and I'm back to running without constantly thinking about my knee. This morning at the gym I ran and was watching the t.v. and listening to the music and most improtantly enjoying my run!!!!I I go to the dr. next Tuesday for another check up so we'll see where I'm at. I haven't gained any weight but I can tell things aren't fitting as well as they did when I was running higher miles.
It sounds like things are progressing well for you! Awesome!! Keep up the good work!!! You're an attorney?Soon we'll both be back on track and racing again. I can't wait!!!!

Hey Skypenny,

I just thought I would let you know that my dr. released me yesterday! He also said that I can run outside but to use common sense i.e. ice, snow, etc.... He also said to build up slowly going back outside. I will go to PT two days a week for the next month just for precautionary reasons.

You asked what my coach does for me. Lots fo things, he sets up my schedule, gets me ready for whatever race I have comming up and mentally prepares me. He's online and whenever I have a question for him he is there within hours with an answer. I don't have to worry any more about how many miles do I need to put in this week, it's written down for me. Right now I keep him busy keeping me under control, so I don't go crazy running more miles than I should and re-injuring myself. I ran 3.75 mile yesterday and felt great!

How's your running going? How many miles are you up to now? How are you feeling?