Meniscus surgery and running

I had a small tear in my meniscus removed. I was running about 20 - 25 miles per week prior to the surgery.. Normally about 9:30 min miles. I started running again this summer and really havent been able to exceed 4 miles or run more than two days in a row. On top of that my times are over 10:30 min miles. Its kind of depressing. Has anyone gotten back from a meniscus tear and gotten back to what they were?
Quality of life the surgery has been great. Quality of running not so much.

Replies

  • Broderick50
    Broderick50 Posts: 842 Member
    I had a tear in Sept of 2012 I opted to rest and rehab instead of surgery. I've never been the same I was doing treadmill, sprints, and stationary bike. Now I do the stationary bike mainly I can do the treadmill, but no where near the distance or speed I was doing and sprints are out of the question at least for now. My doctor said once more weight came off I would be able to get back closer to what I was but it will take more time.
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    I had a small tear in my meniscus removed. I was running about 20 - 25 miles per week prior to the surgery.. Normally about 9:30 min miles. I started running again this summer and really havent been able to exceed 4 miles or run more than two days in a row. On top of that my times are over 10:30 min miles. Its kind of depressing. Has anyone gotten back from a meniscus tear and gotten back to what they were?
    Quality of life the surgery has been great. Quality of running not so much.

    I took a lot of time off, got lazy, and made a lot of excuses after mine. Had the surgery in 04. Running better now than I ever did before.
  • robinso5
    robinso5 Posts: 310 Member
    My information is old, but take it as will........I had major tear in 1998, opted for surgery did total removal. after 3 weeks i was back doing PT with my group. I was back to my 7min mile and working out great! well i was 20in best shape of my life in the ARMY. now i am a little older and was told the knee now needs total replacement due to no padding left........bone on bone.im trying really hard to get to a 9 min mile but if i push myself the next two days are so painful and swollen i regret i did the run.......so either you want the lesser timed mile or good functioning knee....
  • bago08
    bago08 Posts: 360 Member
    Thanks guys for the advice. My doc all but said I shouldnt run anymore but with PT and strengthening exercises I hasnt become an issue away from running too much
    Running is really one of the things I most enjoy in life. Putting on the headphones and heading out on the trials for 30 - 45 mins of my time.
    Hopefully like Broderick said if I get my weight down my times will follow
    Hopefully Im not in Robins case of needing a full replacement someday.
    Sonic... How long was it after surgery til you were seeing good progress?
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    Well, like I said, I got pretty lazy. My weight went from 150 up to 180, and in 2010 I got off my azz and started to do stuff, and it wasn't until this past January that I stopped making excuses and got serious with running and triathlons, and I feel absolutely perfect, pain free, and mentally with it. However, my recovery was deemed "remarkable' by my ortho, and I was back in running shape in less than a year (I was also 24 at the time). I also had plica tendon and ACL issues that were resolved with the scope. I still wear a carbon fiber ACL brace on my "loose" days.