Knee surgery

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Permalink Reply by Brian Maslyk on January 10, 2012 at 5:16pm

I also had a torn meniscus in my knee.  Was told by one doctor it was a "career ending injury"  I went to Dr. Thomas Loghran at VCU Sports Medicine on the recommendation of a number of other runners.  He went in, cleand it up and I was good as new.  The surgery was awesome, I didnt need any of the pain meds and got a really cool video to look at afterwards!  I actually qualified for Boston 9 months after surgery and since then i have run 8 more marathons!  That being said, it totally depends on the type of tear and its location.  I was very fortunate that my tear wasnt in the weight bearing portion of my knee.  My story may be unique, but my praise and respect for Dr. Loghran is at the highest level.  The key is to find a doctor that is highly recommended and you are comfortable working with.

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Permalink Reply by Martha Hodges on January 10, 2012 at 11:16pm

I've had this done in both knees, several years apart.  In both cases, I had outpatient surgery and walked out of the hospital without crutches within a few hours.  My stomach didn't tolerate the pain meds very well, so I think I took 1 each time, maybe 2.  I did however keep ice on almost constantly for the first few days.  That did a good job of controlling the pain.  Both times I went into the surgery exercising right up to the day of the operation.  Do whatever you can tolerate (bike, walk, run, weights, swim), and that will make coming out at the other end a lot easier.  I was allowed to ride the recumbent bike and swim 2 weeks after the surgery.  After 6 weeks, I was allowed to run on a track.  I had to start with alternating run a lap and walk a lap, starting at a total of 2 miles, and I also had to change directions on the track a least every 2 laps.  Less than 2 weeks after I started that, I was running 2 miles nonstop (not fast, but a run nonetheless).  As soon as I could run 2 miles nonstop on the track, I was allowed to hit the road again and build my mileage very gradually.  I have run marathons since the last surgery.  I would recommend including some weights with your training routine if you aren't already doing that to keep the muscles around the knee strong.

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Permalink Reply by Tom Wilkes on January 11, 2012 at 7:18am

Dr. Nordt operated on my knee for a very similar problem.  I've run three full marathons since then, and about 10 halfs.  I recommend him, and the physical therapy that follows.

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Permalink Reply by Gary Hearn on January 11, 2012 at 12:25pm

Dr. Nordt has done both of my knees, the last time while Bill Clinton was in office. The only reason I remember that is I had my surgery the same day as he did. As I recall, he fell down at Greg Norman's house and had surgery the next day, it took 5 months for me to get scheduled and cut on.

I was back running within several weeks and still running today (well yesterday, no run yet today). Your outcome will be determined by what type of rehab effort that you put in.

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Permalink Reply by dog on January 11, 2012 at 2:32pm

I believe he was for many years, and still may be, the physician for the Richmond Kickers soccer team and did knee surgery on a number of my fellow recreation soccer players.  Just some added info.

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