Hi guys,

I'd like to enquire, if there are any runners in this forum? I'm currently training for the marathon 4 months away and have injured my knee...have a torn miniscus (pain on the outside part of the knee when walking/climbing up and down stairs) which means loads of rest for a while.

Have any of you had it? I'm quite bummed about this as I have exactly 16 weeks till the marathon and really want to clock in some distance and can't. What exercises can I do and foods (including vitamins) I could take to speed up the recovery? Really appreciate your advise. I have gone through the net though there's loads of info which is difficult to pinpoint for my condition.

Thanks again.

This post has been edited by BeastB: Feb 20 2012, 12:13 AM

Strongly suggest swimming, only flutter kick (freestyle) though. Never ever try whip kick (breast stroke). Have you consult an orthopaedician? By the way, there are no medications for this kind of injury. I advise you to see a physiotherapist. Good luck.

I agree. Ligament injuries are a b*tch because they heal very very slowly. Physiotherapy and some supplements can speed up recovery a bit, but during the process you're not going to be able to get any training for your marathon done. But hey, get to the orthopedic surgeon/physiotherapist first and get their diagnosis on how serious it is and see what they have you do.

Somehow I understand how you feel because I am training for one too, you seems to either run too fast or too far perhaps.. change your running posture (land gently to ease the striking force impact), do x-training, do swimming, bicycle (hurt the knee a bit too).. well 4 months is still considerable enough of time I believe.. that it easy, better later than never

Please consult a sports medical doctor. I have torn meniscus on my knee and the only way to heal is usually via surgery.

And if you do continue to train, it might worsen your tear and cause possible lock ups on the knee; thus slowing down your pace alot.

My suggestions would be, each workout, remember to bring along ice pack to cool down the affected areas. It works to reduce the pain.

Something like this:


Please take care yeah.

Thanks for your kind replies. I'm actually doing cycling and there is normally no pain at all. What happened was early January is when I injured it when doing the beep test (you know, running back and forth in time limit) and then rested the knee for 3 weeks....then went running on a track, after 3-4 laps the pain is back. Very upsetting, so now it's been another 3 weeks and there's no more pain but I'm not going running yet.

Saw an orthopedist just 2 days ago, he did some tests to my knee bending it different ways but there was no pain. So he advised to go for the MRI next Wednesday and then see what's wrong exactly.

How was it bro?

Did the MRI said anything?

Yeah, doc took a look and said its ligament inflammation. Nothing to do with miniscus..... That's why Im not a doctor.

This was 2 weeks ago, he gave anti inflammatory pills and said come back in 2 weeks, saw him yesterday. Things look good, he told me to start hitting gym and get my leg back to strength...can start running in 2 weeks.

2 1/2 months to prepare for a marathon, I wanted 4 months.....oh man wish me luck!

All the best bro! Thank god it's not meniscus tear.

I dont know anymore. I gave the required rest the doc asked me, he tested my knee bending it in different angles, etc, and said its fine...can start running soon.

It's been more than 2 weeks since he said that...and I went slow jogging at a track yesterday. After 4 rounds (around 2km) the pain is BACK. I mean the same pain which plagued me since January was back and I had to stop after 5 rounds. The whole day, it was hurting....and this morning it has dissapeared.

Seriously, WTF? I've given up on the marathon already....just want to be able to run again. Spent a bundle of money on stupid Sime Darby Medical Centre and their MRI, and did everything the orthopedic sergeant told me...but it was just a waste of time and money.

Could my initial thought be correct? Is this a miniscus tear afterall? Funny thing is I can cycle with load for a long long time and there is no pain. I can walk for a long time and there is no pain. ONLY jogging/running..where there's impact, the pain comes back after 5-10 minutes.

Dunno wtf I should do....but I'm not going back to this stupid hospital and wasting time/money again.

I would suggest to go for a second opinion, with the x-ray/MRI that you have.

Dr. WIlliam Chan has good experience treating such injuries. I guess no harm in getting another opinion.

Sports Backcare Specialist Sdn. Bhd.
101, Jalan SS15/5A,
47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor.
Phone: 03-56355113
H/P: 012-2521898

All the best bro.....

PS, I have knee injuries as well, I opted not to go for surgeries, been doing strengthening exercise ever since on my leg (hamstring, thighs, glutes, calves)

BTW, it depends what is your goal, if you want to be active in sports quickly, then surgery is the option. But its dont take it as permanent remedy for full recovery, the pain might come back on similar or another spot, as many experience athletic found.
unfortunately these are the side affects of being active in sports...cant run away from ware and tear.

BTW, this thread is wrong section?!

This post has been edited by VeeJay: Apr 4 2012, 10:18 PM