Running with injured knee.

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justkate88
justkate88 Posts: 40
in Fitness and Exercise
Two years ago I dislocated my knee and in the process I tore both of my cruciate ligaments and the lateral collateral ligament in my right knee. I also fractured the knee cap. Most days it is okay - but other days it can get very sore and achey. I have not had reconstructive surgery and have been advised against it by my consultant.

Is running a sport I should rule out completely? Does anybody else run with such serious damage?

Replies

  • PalmettoparkGuy
    PalmettoparkGuy Posts: 212 Member
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    Shouldn't you be discussing this with your doctor?
  • wxkris
    wxkris Posts: 57
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    I hate to say it but if you keep up with the running, you may eventually have to have surgery...which your doctor is right, you don't want it. I recently started running but due to volleyball injuries and a family history of bad knees, I think I may have to give it up if I want to stay active in the future. I've recently taken up spinning, which gives me the intensity at a much lower impact level.
  • 27strange
    27strange Posts: 837 Member
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    Not nearly as serious damage as you....but I have dislocated my knee 3 times in the last 10 years and pulled ligaments, never torn or broken anything to require surgery. Most recently dislocated my knee this past Christmas. My knee can be weak at times and swells some and aches some. I wear a soft, mid-level support knee brace for all physical activity above a moderate walk. I just was able to get back into running this summer and am now training for a 1/2 marathon. My pace is slow due to my knee and I wear the brace and I deal with some aches and some swelling but I keep chugging along. I don't think you need to rule out running completely. You just need to listen to your knee and not overdo it. Make sure you are resting it properly between runs, make sure you are giving it adequate support via some type of knee brace if needed, make sure you have good running shoes. The shoes make all the difference in the world on the knees.
  • aj_rock
    aj_rock Posts: 390 Member
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    Swimming is your best bet probably. Recommended for most people recovering from injury/have long-term injuries.
  • RangerSteve
    RangerSteve Posts: 437
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    I you actually tore your ACL and PCL then they will stay torn until you get surgery on them. They are not vascular. That means no blood flow gets into the area to heal them. The LCL and MCL can heal themselves over time with proper rest and nutrient intake. If you keep running, you will just cause pain to what is an already destroyed knee region. Who is your consultant that told you to not get surgery? And yes, I would rule out running until proper post-recovery surgery (probably about 6 months)
  • justkate88
    justkate88 Posts: 40
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    Shouldn't you be discussing this with your doctor?

    Thanks for your incredibly helpful post :indifferent:


    To everybody else, thanks for your feedback. It's only something I've really been mulling over for the last couple of days. I do a lot of walking, and sometimes afterwards my knee is very sore indeed, so perhaps running would only exacerbate the problem, sadly. It really is very badly messed up - I'm not sure it's possible to get much worse and I certainly don't want to risk it! As was suggested, I'll probably stick to swimming. Cycling is something I'd really love to do but living where I do, it's all hills - going uphill on a bike would murder my knee! Need to find myself some flat land!
  • justkate88
    justkate88 Posts: 40
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    I you actually tore your ACL and PCL then they will stay torn until you get surgery on them. They are not vascular. That means no blood flow gets into the area to heal them. The LCL and MCL can heal themselves over time with proper rest and nutrient intake. If you keep running, you will just cause pain to what is an already destroyed knee region. Who is your consultant that told you to not get surgery? And yes, I would rule out running until proper post-recovery surgery (probably about 6 months)

    Hi, yes I tore both of the cruciates. Surgery was not advised as I have hypermobility syndrome and he said that therefore the surgery would be pointless as it's likely I'll just tear them again. I am due to see a new consultant sometime soon (waiting for an appointment) as I didn't really like the last guy - so perhaps the new one will have a different opinion.
  • Heatherbelle_87
    Heatherbelle_87 Posts: 1,078 Member
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    I you actually tore your ACL and PCL then they will stay torn until you get surgery on them. They are not vascular. That means no blood flow gets into the area to heal them. The LCL and MCL can heal themselves over time with proper rest and nutrient intake. If you keep running, you will just cause pain to what is an already destroyed knee region. Who is your consultant that told you to not get surgery? And yes, I would rule out running until proper post-recovery surgery (probably about 6 months)

    Hi, yes I tore both of the cruciates. Surgery was not advised as I have hypermobility syndrome and he said that therefore the surgery would be pointless as it's likely I'll just tear them again. I am due to see a new consultant sometime soon (waiting for an appointment) as I didn't really like the last guy - so perhaps the new one will have a different opinion.

    I agree with the recommendations to switch to something lower impact. No point in doing more damage while waiting to see the new specialist. Also, Im glad youre already going to a new consultant, if you dont like the care youre getting you are definently better off going elsewhere. My insurance hated me at one point, I switched Primary Care Doctors 5 times because I wasnt happy with the office staff or the Dr themself (I cant stand bad office staff, since I to0 was a receptionist and now a dental assistant)
  • justkate88
    justkate88 Posts: 40
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    It's not a case of switching as I haven't run so much as an inch since high school! I was just enquiring from a more hypothetical stance :) Thanks for the replies everyone!
  • GTI_Girl
    GTI_Girl Posts: 207
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    *sigh* I have a some what similar problem. I sprained my knee 10 years ago in high school TRYING to play tennis. Of course at the time I was on my parents insurance, and we were military. Anyone who is or was military must know about how SORRY they are when it comes to care! We sat forever to be seen and then all they did was look at it, give me crutches and tell me to put ice on it. No X Rays, no physical therapy recommended . Nothing. So for the longest time I just thought I had a sprained knee, that was it.

    I was on the crutches for about a month, and on a cane for a couple weeks after that. My knee never felt "right" even 10 years later, but it wasn't bad. I could still walk, jump, etc. Kneeling down was a issue thou. ANYWAY, Fast forward to a couple months ago. my knee started to bother me and I started wrapping it up when I would run. Then it settled down again and I went back to running as normal. Well, then at work It started to bother me again (i stand all day on concrete floors. ugh)

    So I finally went to see a sports med. Dr. He took one look, felt my knee, played around with it and then he told me I have PCL damage. We don't know how bad, but he did some of the basic tests on me and it was very obvious my knee and leg bone were "loose". So I will be going for my very first MRI this Monday and I will consult with my dr. on Wednesday. I am a little scared.

    An injury from 10 years ago....acting up again. It really stinks because I have fallin in love with running! I was really starting to get some what good at it, and now THIS. So I have been taking it easy, and riding the stationary bike, walking, and swimming.

    Anyway, that is my story...I guess I am just looking for support from anyone else who may have been in the same boat as me.
  • justkate88
    justkate88 Posts: 40
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    *sigh* I have a some what similar problem. I sprained my knee 10 years ago in high school TRYING to play tennis. Of course at the time I was on my parents insurance, and we were military. Anyone who is or was military must know about how SORRY they are when it comes to care! We sat forever to be seen and then all they did was look at it, give me crutches and tell me to put ice on it. No X Rays, no physical therapy recommended . Nothing. So for the longest time I just thought I had a sprained knee, that was it.

    I was on the crutches for about a month, and on a cane for a couple weeks after that. My knee never felt "right" even 10 years later, but it wasn't bad. I could still walk, jump, etc. Kneeling down was a issue thou. ANYWAY, Fast forward to a couple months ago. my knee started to bother me and I started wrapping it up when I would run. Then it settled down again and I went back to running as normal. Well, then at work It started to bother me again (i stand all day on concrete floors. ugh)

    So I finally went to see a sports med. Dr. He took one look, felt my knee, played around with it and then he told me I have PCL damage. We don't know how bad, but he did some of the basic tests on me and it was very obvious my knee and leg bone were "loose". So I will be going for my very first MRI this Monday and I will consult with my dr. on Wednesday. I am a little scared.

    An injury from 10 years ago....acting up again. It really stinks because I have fallin in love with running! I was really starting to get some what good at it, and now THIS. So I have been taking it easy, and riding the stationary bike, walking, and swimming.

    Anyway, that is my story...I guess I am just looking for support from anyone else who may have been in the same boat as me.

    I sure know how it feels for your leg to be 'loose'! My kneecap jiggles about all the time - it doesn't really hurt when it does it, but it can click quite loudly! If I fully extend my leg, the bones try to pop out all over the place - I have to think about what my leg is doing all the time to stop it from happening; I can't kneel either. What makes my knee hurt the most though is being still. It aches and aches and aches - exercise does it some good. I've ruled out running completely and will stick to walking. I'm also going to start swimming again soon and might look at some low-impact aerobics classes.

    I have to go for another MRI sometime in the next month or so to see how the damage lies now (I have switched consultants so the new one wants to see for himself).
  • GTI_Girl
    GTI_Girl Posts: 207
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    tomorrow I will know my fate. Ugh the knee was REALLY buggin me tonight... Maybe cause a storm is a comin? lol
  • GTI_Girl
    GTI_Girl Posts: 207
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    alright! So, the ACL was damaged but its still in tact...just a little stretched out. The PCL is def. torn but not completely. So since surgery is a last option, I will get to start physical therapy ! Yeay sarcasm! but they want me to do that for a few months and if it is still bothering me the same/more, then I may need a custom knee brace. can you say $$? ugh. but I do need a proper knee brace. The hinged kind that will make me look like Rob
  • queensasha17
    queensasha17 Posts: 1 Member
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    I can relate to how much it stinks once you fall in love with running and then can't because of a knee issue. I sprained my knee a few weeks ago and they gave me an x-ray. Thankfully it doesn't look like anything was torn. Having to deal with military care is annoying. I know there will be no follow ups. I think I am going to try and ease into running again. Good luck with your knee!

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