WILL KNEE ARTHROSCOPY END MY RUNNING FOREVER???

To answer the question simply: NO!

I had damaged plica fixed about 6 years ago and was back running in 6 weeks with no problems. Two weeks after the surgery I was on a bike and swimming. Another of my friends had the same thing done and was back running in two and a half weeks (he was a pole vaulter).

The difference in return time was the fact that he saw an athletic doctor and I saw a knee specialist that dealt with everybody. If I had it to do over again, I would still go to the same guy - he came as one of the highest rated doctors in the region, so i figured I couldn't go wrong.

I'm no expert, but that sounds overcautious to me. Obviously, things can go wrong in any invasive procedure, but I wouldn't think that arthroscopy itself (which can be a purely diagnostic preocedure) would pose an unacceptable risk.

I've had my right knee scoped twice. The second time it was scoped and had the ACL replaced. I did about 2500 miles this year. That answer your question?

Dan, No! Be sure to get a sports and particularly running oriented doctor. What area do you live and people can suggest good ones. I was playing soccer in the yard the following day with my son. I had a tear repaired. Good luck.

Alright, I probably should have named the thread "CAN arthroscopy .....???" I just seemed a little surprised when he suggested that it could actually cause more problems than its intended to fix, he said he'd seen this sort of injury end the careers of track and field athletes while practicing at UNC Chapel Hill, I was pretty nervous to say the least. On the flipside, he said arthroscopy could find something (like damaged plica) that didnt show up on the MRI and I could be back in action relatively soon soooo... Anyone know a good ortho Dr. in Eastern Connecticut?

No. Football and basketball players get arthroscopic knee surgery all the time and both of those sports are much harder on your knees than running. Those guys are back on the court or field in less than a month usually, so I don't see how it could end your running. Good luck and get it done if you need it.

You should read this. I'm not sure if it applies to your particular situation:

http://www.hopkins-arthritis.som.jhmi.edu/news-archive/2002/arthroscopy.html

dirty dan,

check out frank maletz at shaw's cove in new london, which is close to you so you have no excuse for not going. he's the man and really good so it's sometimes hard to get an appointment. he's my neighbor, so i'm biased, but he is actually really good. he just performed partial arthroscopic surgery on my mom's shoulder and she's good also the sports med. doctors at uconn are pretty money. good luck w/ that shiz man.

I had arthroscopic surgery done on my ankle (much harder joint to operate on than the knee) this past summer. Dr. Redler performed the surgery. i just ran 30 miles a week ago (i was on crutches for 2.5 months before surgery and 2 weeks after...which means lots of physical therapy and a loooong time coming back). It's my legs that are giving me trouble from all the time on crutches, not the bad ankle, which feels great by the way. If it can be done in the ankle it can be done in the knee. Dr. Redler has an office in Trumbull, Connecticut (western CT). I suggest you give him a ring. He was one of the best doctors I have ever seen. good luck

i got it done and i was running again in 3 weeks.

Dan...Find that quality doc, and get the full story! I had both my knees scoped for Plicas back in the dark ages (one in '81, one in '86). I'm still pushing 90-100 MPW, and running faster now than I have since '85. And they had me running 3 days (!) after the second surgery (their idea, and it seemed to work). Not one hint of a problem in either leg; my surgeon (an ex XC man, of course) was outstanding.

I'd say your long term running prognosis has more to do with the pathology in your knee than with the proposed procedure. By the nature of their specialty, orthopedists often treat athletes. However, I agree with the advice that finding one who has experience with runners is a good idea.

Damn where were all these good doctor when i need one. I had the surgury done and I couldn't run more than 3 days a week without my knee blowing up.

I'd stay away from Cooter if you have knee problems. He spends his days looking into the business end of the most dangerous organism known to man. He can tell the difference between brie and cottage cheese, but I wouldn't let him near a ligament.

Who are you, and how did you know I'm near New London?

Ever heard of Joan Benoit? 17 days later wins oly trials in '84...the rest is history!