Meniscus injury

[Dave O]

Hi

I'm in training for a half-marathon (9 weeks to go!) and following a training run last week (10 miles) had a pain in my knee that was particularly sore when going up and down stairs or when raising my leg when straight. I went to an NHS walk-in clinic and they suggested I had an inflamed meniscus but couldn't advise much on rehab/potential prognosis/length of recovery. I've done the usual RICE treatment & anti-infammatories, but the pain doesn't seem to be subsiding, in fact seems to be getting worse. I'm wondering if there might be another diagnosis that they might have missed (e.g. tendons) and what length of time others may have had to rest for such injury?

Thanks

[Heidi]

Hi
Was there a reason that they thought it may be meniscus related? Did they assess your knee?

It may be this, however, I find it unlikely. The best thing to do having done all the training is to go to a professional who treats sports and specifically running injuries if you can find one. It may just take a couple of treatments and some exercises on your behalf. It would be a shame to let all the training go to waste!

[Dave O]

Thanks for that, Heidi - sounds more optimistic!

They did a few movement assessments & prodding & poking, but nothing too well informed I guess (to be expected, to be fair to an NHS walk-in centre). Following your advice, I've got an appointment tomorrow with a sports injury physio so will cross my fingers... already feeling caged & want to get back out on the road!

Thanks again.

[Heidi]

No problem, keep us posted!

[kershawm]

I've been there too and I found that the one person you can rely on is yourself to treat the problem. Sure, the Doc will help you and may find the real problem, but sometimes for us runners, they will just say, stop running and then let's see. I doubt you like that option, although at this point it might be the best step.

Your key is to find out why you are getting injured; what is the root cause? It may be that you need orthotics or new shoes or are over training but the key for you is to find out why you have developed this problem.

You will probably get this after you get back from the doctor but for others that want help, there are some good guides at this orthopedic doctor's site (and they are free of course): http://www.markmillermd.com/patient-education/patient-guides.html

Best of luck with the marathon!

-Mike

[Dave O]

Thanks for the message, Mike.

Had a chance to see a good sports physio* & after some explanation of where/how it hurt, she tried various diagnosis tests on my legs. Turns out my calves were like wood and were keeping a constant strain on my patella tendon, hence patella tendonitis. A bit of manipulation/calf beating, some ultrasound and now a few days of stretching, it's improved amazingly. No more pain on stairs, although can still feel it when doing leg raises. Another physio appointment tomorrow, but hope to be back on the road in a few days... finger's crossed!

Yes, I agree - we are our own best barometers, but it takes an expert to tell you how your body fits together!

Cheers all.

*Anyone Newcastle-based, Lombard Physio are great!