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Knee Surgery

jim ebertjim ebert
in General Training Discussions
My x-rays show bone spurs and my MRI shows tears to my meniscus on my left knee. I see an Ortho Dr. next week put fear he may need a new BMW and guide me to surgery. Has anyone had knee surgery and why? What was the outcome? I'm 70 YO but finished IM Maryland last year and hope to complete more IMs and maybe drop down to 70.3s if necessary.
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  • DAVID RICHMONDDAVID RICHMOND
    had a knee surgery for a snapped ACL (nothing like yours), my surgeon was the best as he took time to explain the + and - of surgery, and the + and - of  "no surgery"... even said he wasn't wiling to cut me open if I stick to "inline" sports (bike/run), etc.. but if I wanted to surf or play soccer with my kids, surgery was the way to go... Heard bone spur and meniscus surgery are a walk in the park compared to ACL surgery... posted a similar question a few years back and got the best answer from one of our teammates here:

    "So, If it was your car and the motor was making this funny clanking noise in the motor that comes and goes, would you drive it until it breaks so you can't drive it at all (and possibly do worse damage) or do you get the problem addressed and potentially prevent further damage. That is pretty much the philisophical question that you have to ask. 

    If it was a potential crack on your carbon bike frame, would you look at it and say "looks ok to me, I will ride it and see what happens" or would you get it fixed? "

    u can see the complete thread here:
    https://endurancenation.vanillacommunities.com/discussion/comment/214529#Comment_214529

    best of luck
  • jim ebertjim ebert
    David Tks. for the wisdom! just draining knee fluid and a shot now but probably orthro in several weeks but the Dr. suggests not really running in the future...being 70 sucks, but oly tri runs with no real run training but good swim and bike may work.  we'll see.
  • DAVID RICHMONDDAVID RICHMOND
    considered pool running as a training tool? or "bike running*"? 
    *can't find the post but one of our Teammate couldn't run so he did a lot of bike sessions standing, somehow mimicking running as another tool to gain some running fitness.
    Good luck
  • jim ebertjim ebert
    The surgery is on. I go in for a partial knee replacement 8/21. had all the pre op stuff done. attended  REQUIRED 2.5 Hr. talk on the op and recovery from a nurse at Sentara Leigh Hospital in VA where my ortho Dr works. they do the most knee ops of any hosp in VA. I continue to do left leg exercises given to me by the physical therapist I've been using to get my bone-on-bone medial as ready as possible for the operation. I'll either put more info here or in my macro with coach Rich. If there are any questions or  comments let me know.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    edited August 17, 2017 1:44PM
    Good luck, I had a right medial meniscus tear last year. I had arthroscopic surgery 8/31/16.   Hoping for the best with your procedure 
  • jim ebertjim ebert
    you got it early . originally i had only torn meniscus but it got worst, now bone on bone. let's keep in touch.
  • Brian SmithBrian Smith
    @jim ebert

    Keep us posted on your progress, I have had 2 knee surgeries on my left knee 10 years apart, same initial issues, I have very little meniscus left so rest and less miles helps, also slower running and shorter strides with less impact helps me out a bit, I suffer in the time recorded, but it is more important that I have pain management and injury management so I can keep running!  Hope all goes well for you.
  • Al TruscottAl Truscott
    Earlier this year, I did a bike trip across Cuba with a bunch of 60-something ex-racers and endurance athletes. Among the 13 people there, there were 8 total knee replacements, including a total of FOUR on one tandem! I honestly couldn't tell who was natural and who was bionic.
  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    edited August 18, 2017 9:49AM
    @jim ebert I have a friend who had a partial knee replacement a d it went very well.  Made a full recovery to running.

    @David, I will be racing my carbon fiber bike with a confirmed crack for the nth time tomorrow.  Been there for over three years.  Just sayin'  :)
  • jim ebertjim ebert
    Had the operation. Got an Oxford basic brand prosthetic. Told the most used brand. Home in rehab. They say my IM training gives me a big foot up on recovery, but no one is guaranteeing I'll do much running unless I don't care if I need a replacement in five years. I here "it depends" a lot. On 5 Rx's (pain, stool softener, aspirin, arthritis, and another blood thinner. With pain killer I'm loopy at times. Two days with a walker. Now using (carrying) a cane. An hours of exercises twice a day. The exercises hurt but I'm told they will but don't overdue (that could definitely be an issue). I'll keep working . Speed walking seems to be OK. That's how I finished my last IM. No biking for about a month...BUT...it depends. I'll let ya know.
  • John CulbersonJohn Culberson
    What @Al Truscott said. Total Knee Replacements are curative and if done early, (before you limp around for a couple years), there is no reason why you won't be running agin. Not familiar with outcomes from partial replacement, but @Paul Hough has some positive feedback. You are a very fit 70 year old... if another replacement is necessary, you'll be a good candidate. There are many examples of individuals doing well at IM distance with limited running. Best to be patient and see how you progress over the next 6 months or so. You'll probably be surprised at how well you are running by the start of the 2018 season ;-)
  • jim ebertjim ebert
    Tks 4 all the support and info. I'm in training for a cross country bike tour with Bubba's Pampered Peddlers. Their website gives more info and I may be trying a blog (jim's 2018 xusa bike tour info) on blogger.com. At 71, I understand I will not be the oldest rider.
  • DAVID RICHMONDDAVID RICHMOND
    Nice to hear! ;) go have fun!
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