Hey Marc,

These are complicated issues. Your injury is the same as mine, b/c I also had multiple bone fragments and I still have 2 screws and K-wire in my knee. There is no doubt that you have cartilage damage (as do I) underneath the kneecap.

However, I am 2 years from my injury and i found the strength in the quad has gotten better. It will never be the same but it really does take a long time get back to full function. I would recommend not running as much and working with a trainer to strengthen that quad and the gluteal muscles. that's what has helped me. I only run about 3 miles when I run and can do that now perfectly fine. Do i have some discomfort? Sure. But it's manageable. The more strength you get in that quad and butt, the better. I am not a doctor, but from my personal experience, you should focus on strengthening that quad and maybe back off the running a little for now.

As far as cartilage damage, I'm not sure what do about that myself. I'm getting by without need for pain meds so I'm doing nothing for now. I'm sure in several years if I develop more pain, I may need some steroid or other type of injection at some point. My injury happened at 40 years old by the way. I'm now 42.