Hello everyone. In September 2011 I competed in Warrior Dash after training for several months. It is a 5k obstacle course, with this particular one taking place on a small mountain. I finished great and continued to run as usual but my left knee began to hurt. I worried of arthritis because it runs in my family, though I am only 26 now. After x-rays and an MRI my doctor sent me to physical therapy where I was diagnosed with a patellar tracking problem. I spent 6 or 8 weeks in physical therapy and did the stretches and exercises he taught me for 7 months with no real relief. I have not been able to run in a year, I can't sit in a chair w/out having my leg extended on a foot stool or other chair, I can't sit on the floor, I have to sleep with a pillow under my leg and much of the time my knee is taped. After 12 full months of dealing with this I went back to the doctor and he told me that we could try injecting cortisone into my knee, with a warning that if it didn't work, he was referring me to an orthopedic surgeon. One week later, my knee is no better (I will NEVER get cortisone again!) and I am to see a surgeon next week.
What I want to know from anyone who has had the same problem as me is, is it worth it? Is surgery going to make the pain go away? How long will I be down for? What is my recovery going to look like? How long until I can go back to work? I would appreciate any advice you are willing to offer!
