Running

This is the week-end I should have run a half-marathon with my daughter but it was not to be. I've run half-marathons before but one with my daughter would have been very special. The build up did not go well - knees were the problem and in particular the left one. This is nothing new but this time I did something I'd never done before - I went to see my doctor - just in case she could help. My knees have hurt after hard runs for at least 20 years but this time they hurt bad enough to think a doctor might be able to help.

Did the doctor actually help ? The sequence went something like this: X-ray which showed nothing; then physical therapy on the left knee (physical therapy was interesting, good fun even but after 4 weeks the knee hurt even worse than at the start); back to doctor who prescribed an anti-inflammatory; not much improvement so back to doctor who ordered an MRI; off to see a knee specialist. This was an exciting moment, would he produce a miracle in pain reduction ?

He changed the anti-inflammatory to Diclofenac 75 mg once or twice a day which as drugs go is reasonably safe and side-affect free. Diclofenac has been in use for 30 years but the mechanism which makes it effective is still not fully know !

One has to check for contra-indications and problems and the list is as usual long and scary:

http://www.drugs.com/diclofenac.html

Currently I'm still drinking beer despite the advice against alcohol and thus far without problems.

The Knee Specialist did help me get my head straight. In essence I said "How much do you want to Run ?" "How much pain can you take ?" Balance one out against the other. Build up slowly, cross train and do not think about surgery - you do not need it.

I'm back to running - every third day - and in between I use the stationery cycles and rowers in the gym. I am cross training. I take Diclofenac about 30 minutes before running and another one at the end of the day if the knee is very stiff. Of course I ice after running as well.

After 20 years of running pain was the doctor visit useful ? The one important thing I learned was that there is no cartilage left behind either knee cap. I had worried that my continuing to run I was doing damage whereas it turns out all the damage has already been done and I can stop worrying. The disks (menisci) inside the knees are all OK - really good news.

Yesterday I ran 3 miles on the treadmill - fairly slowly - it took more than 30 minutes but definitely a good step forward.

Maybe if I take it slowly I can run a half-marathon with my daughter in 2008.