Where to next!?

[Richard7]

So my last run was last September. I had started doing C25K again after and injury over the summer and got back to the end of week 4.

But then it stopped! I had some muscular problems and took myself off to the physio which I assumed would mean a break of a couple of weeks.

Months later I am still not running! I had an X-Ray at the end of December slightly delayed by a bout of Christmas COVID. The results just came through with a diagnosis of Osteoarthritis in my knee.

Along with the physio saying "I don't think you should run anymore" and now this I am beginning to wonder whether I will get back out there or not!?

But then I just read an article on arthritis.org which reinforced my understanding that it can actually be beneficial and so I am wondering whether to ignore the medical advice or not!

I have a follow up appointment with Dr next week (X-ray results via text message!!) so it could be that they do not say to leave off running!!

Now feeling confused as to where to go with this. I miss running and want to get back out there but don't want to be stupid!!

Hoping for some positive news next week! 🤞

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

I thought I hadn’t seen you for a while Richard. I’m sorry to hear that you have been on the injury couch.

I don’t know about osteoarthritis, but pre running I had terrible problems with my knees, especially when walking downhill on walks in the Lake District . I had an MRI scan which showed arthritis. I was sent to a physio who gave me lots of exercises to do and it really helped.

I then took up running and have had no problems with my knees since, in fact I am sure they are stronger as a result.

Have you been advised to take calcium/vitamin D supplements? I will watch this post to see if anyone comes up with similar conditions.

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Only advice so far is from the physio pre this diagnosis. Vitamin D ✔️ Calcium ❌ - my one concern is that there seem to be two opposing views from health professionals and so if I am told to lay off I don't know if that what both opposing views would say in my circumstance or not!!Will see what my appointments reveal 🤞

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Richard7]

Good luck with your appointments, and I hope you see someone who is aware of the benefits of running. 🤞

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

versusarthritis.org/news/20...

arthritis.org/health-wellne...

Good to see you here Richard... we've missed you.. As you see there are links here... we have had a fair few queries re- Arthritis and running.

Now... we are all different so.... what applies to one will not apply to all.

It is best not to ignore medical advice.... but maybe try to find out all the whys and the wherefores.

The advice needs to be from someone who knows exactly what they are talking about.. When you have the results then decide where to go next.

Until you have them, you need to stay positive.

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks Oldfloss similar to what I read on arthritis.org - hence my hope of finding someone who sees both sides of the discussion.

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

Hello Richard,

Thank you for your post I will be most interested to hear about your onward journey. I feel like I would be able to write a book about my right knee! I had a bad fall from a 3 foot wall in August 2020. As a result of that I had an x-ray, MRI scan and ultra sound scan. The x ray revealed, I assume, pre-existing arthritis in my knee. I also had a torn 2/3 through meniscus(cartilage in the knee), two fractures, large Baker's cyst and subsequently cellulitis.

From a leg brace, crutches and not being able to walk a step, I progressed with lots of physio help to 13 months pain free running. Reached 10 miles (Nov 2021) more than I had run before my fall. For a reason not really known (perhaps over use) things all went wrong in April 2022, swelling and more.

So no running and back to physios. One physio thought the trouble was my meniscus the other my arthritis, but both encouraged me to run. I only changed physio so that I could visit one nearer our home. At my last visit I was signed off and my physio was happy for me to work towards half marathon distance. I think I need to keep effort to 7/10, as more effort to increase my pace puts my knee under stress that it is not happy about. Still learning ...

I do hope that your doctor is helpful and I look forward to hearing how you progress.

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thank you so much for your reply and sharing your experience. It sounds as though you have had your own challenges in this area.I found your reply very encouraging and it does sound as though my physio might be over protective!? We will see what the Dr says next week to start off with but I do feel like challenging the responses if they come back negative.

My online research agreed with what you said about effectively reigning it back a bit and that could get well be what caused the problem for me in the first place.

My wife said to me this morning that perhaps I need to just enjoy running and become a "Gentle Jogger" 😀 which would certainly be better than "Ex Runner"

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10 in reply to Richard7]

I realised that I typed a further reply and then lost it when I restarted my computer. I'll start again.

Fully agree that to be a "Gentle Jogger"  is better than an ex-runner. I know that I enjoy achieving personal bests, but need to somehow learn to find my enjoyment in other aspects of my running. Beautiful scenery definitely scores highly for me as does knowing my level of stamina is good for my age. I currently listen mainly to Desert Island Discs podcasts, but I'm sure I ought branch out and find some other podcasts to enjoy.

I had a little look at a few of your previous posts and noted that you went to a private physio. So far I have only seen NHS physios and the ones I had after my fall were only via telephone calls. They did have access to my various x-rays and scans, so understood what was happening within my knee. I took their advice very seriously and carried out all the exercises aiming to be a model patient! On that occasion I had a second physio, because the first one was redeployed due to Covid.

All the best to you, I look forward to reading that you are running again. 😊

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks - this physio is dead set against me running! (Saw her tonight) but has indicated we need to find out how bad the arthritis is before anything else. I will post back after my Dr visit next week 😀🤞