So my knee rehab hasn’t gone as fast as I would like and 2011 will be the comeback year. For those with chronic knee issues I would like to find out a couple of things you may or may not have experienced. This is for the old FARTS so all you 28 year old ‘oh my body hurts’ punks can go pound sand;) Leave us old grey mares alone;)
My ACL and MCL have healed nicely, but the degenerative meniscus issues in the medial tibial plateau are the constant trouble maker. Just a dull, throbbing and annoying issue. Ortho said I have the disc degeneration of a 70 year old on that side.
With that said I never ran with orthotics, but now that I have them my entire body feels better, remarkably better.
Did you find orthotics to be a huge benefit if you were not already on them once you came back?
Did you find that doing shorter distances/higher intensity or longer/less intensity was the route to go?
My natural inclination is slow twitch to the letter, but maybe I need to look at shorter distances?
Thanks for any input my fellow injured compatriots.
Good form, but had 5.5* of forefoot vaurus and never knew it. Always felt my knee diving at the top tube on the bike as well, but never knew why. Have varus wedges on bike shoes and orthotics on running shoes, but the damage has been done. So, after over 2 decades of racing my body finally let me know about it that hard way.
Works for me. I have a chronic right knee that has benefited from using orthotics. My knee also seems to prefer the shorter distances. However, I can see the day eventually coming when I’ll only do aquabikes or cycling.
Amonth ago was diagnosed with two tears in R medial meniscus
which is scheduled for repair Friday. First injury that has truly
sidelined me in 20yrs of tri’s and 8yrs of running before that.
We will see how rehab goes, starts on Monday. Have always
had a neutral running style and have only used orthotics for 3-4mo
for a plantar issue which responded better to store bought arch supports
and taping than the $200 orthotics and other traditional treatments.
I have been dealing with injuries as well for the last year - its the whole qualify for Boston thing; I get hurt everytime I do that much fast running…and considering orthodics…I went to the good feet store and have been running in those and having issues. Think I need custom orthodics. Thus, I can’t answer your question but I feel your pain. I am trying to find one resource that can manage the whole body…its hard, some look at the feet, some at the spine, some just want to cut.
My best guess is you need to go slow twitch to “re-build” your base. Begin by running frequently, but short distances…Hell, try the BarryP method for building your base. Once you have rebuilt your base - say 4-5 months, then add some intensity.
I have been dealing with injuries as well for the last year - its the whole qualify for Boston thing; I get hurt everytime I do that much fast running…and considering orthodics…I went to the good feet store and have been running in those and having issues. Think I need custom orthodics. Thus, I can’t answer your question but I feel your pain. I am trying to find one resource that can manage the whole body…its hard, some look at the feet, some at the spine, some just want to cut.
My best guess is you need to go slow twitch to “re-build” your base. Begin by running frequently, but short distances…Hell, try the BarryP method for building your base. Once you have rebuilt your base - say 4-5 months, then add some intensity.
Good luck.
That is too bad about GoodFeet:( Sorry yours didn’t work out. I went through 2 pairs of $400 custom orthotics that never fit right. Felt better on my knee, but terribly uncomfortable. Decided to give GoodFeet a try and I was in and out in 30 minutes for $185…that was 18 months ago:) I love mine!
Who diagnosed the foot varus for you? I think I may have that too, but unsure who to go see; PT, podiatrist, good bike fitter, etc.?
The first person was my ortho, but after that I kept my mouth shut and see if others could pick it up. I don’t know how they measure it this tight, but Good Feet said 5.5* just like my ortho. I know 3 other people with Good Feet supports and they swear by them, 1 of the people convinced me to go! After blowing almost a grand with customs Good Feet fixed me up for peanuts in 30 minutes. Probably went back for re-do’s on my customs 6-7 times. Nightmare.
After my surgeries in 2002, I did start wearing orthotics to try and unload some of the pressure on my collapsing side of the joint (and to help with some proprioception issues I was having). They def. helped (to a point).
I limit my running now to 3 dpw, never consecutive (unless I am doing pool running), and on soft/non concrete surfaces as much as possible. Half marathon distance training (so maybe up to 15 mile long runs) is as far as I go anymore. Eventually, when I resume running again, I will probably not even do that much (of course, I SAY that…we shall see what I end up doing.).
I CAN tolerate speedwork, but anymore, it has to be either on dirt/grass or a pretty forgiving track. Hill repeats are doable, assuming I WALK back down. Even then, they are usually best avoided. When I return to running, if I ever get back to the point where I’m considering speed work, I will probably do a lot of it in the pool.
One of my biggest issues anymore is that the ends of the bones where there is no cartilage will catch on each other at random times, causing sort of a hitch in my giddyup. I can deal with pain, but randomly flailing legs are problematic I find that a lot of strength and core work helps a bit.
In my experience, knee surgery rehab NEVER goes as fast as we’d like/have planned.
I find that a lot of strength and core work helps a bit.