Ironman with a meniscus injury?

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2006-03-26 10:59 PM

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Subject: Ironman with a meniscus injury?
My knee has been painful while biking over the past several weeks. Internal rotation of the knee helps while biking, but if I rotate externally then I feel the most excruciating pain ever. I think it's an injury to my medial meniscus, but I haven't gone to a doctor.

I am not experiencing any swelling - just pain if my leg twists. Ironman Arizona is 2 weeks away, and I don't plan to skip it. By the end of the bike leg my knee will hurt a lot no matter what. So far it doesn't hurt to run on it, but I don't know what a 112-mile warmup will do. Does anyone have any advice on how to best treat this? Am I right in assuming it's the meniscus? I'm afraid my leg will fall off during the race.

-dave

2006-03-27 9:34 AM
in reply to: #380049

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Giver
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Subject: RE: Ironman with a meniscus injury?
Go see a good sports med doc. Get it checked, find out for sure what it is. It may be a cortisone injection would help.
2006-03-27 10:37 AM
in reply to: #380049

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Pro
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Subject: RE: Ironman with a meniscus injury?
I have an athlete who is having the same problem right now. Check your cleat positioning and your seat height and if it to far fore or aft. It probably wouldn't hurt to go see a Sports Doc either.
2006-03-31 9:31 PM
in reply to: #380049

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Ironman with a meniscus injury?
see the ortho, but off the top of my head, yes mensicus seems possible.
2006-03-31 9:45 PM
in reply to: #380049

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Ironman with a meniscus injury?

skavoovie - 2006-03-26 10:59 PM My knee has been painful while biking over the past several weeks. Internal rotation of the knee helps while biking, but if I rotate externally then I feel the most excruciating pain ever. I think it's an injury to my medial meniscus, but I haven't gone to a doctor. I am not experiencing any swelling - just pain if my leg twists. Ironman Arizona is 2 weeks away, and I don't plan to skip it. By the end of the bike leg my knee will hurt a lot no matter what. So far it doesn't hurt to run on it, but I don't know what a 112-mile warmup will do. Does anyone have any advice on how to best treat this? Am I right in assuming it's the meniscus? I'm afraid my leg will fall off during the race. -dave

Dude, do IMAZ and then go to the doc ASAP. When you get back, PM me and I'll give you my 20 cents on meniscus injuries. (Just had my 7th knee surgery in July). Most importantly, GOOD LUCK at IMAZ!

2006-04-03 3:50 AM
in reply to: #380049

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Subject: RE: Ironman with a meniscus injury?
skavoovie - 2006-03-26 10:59 PM

I think it's an injury to my medial meniscus, but I haven't gone to a doctor.

I am not experiencing any swelling - just pain if my leg twists. Ironman Arizona is 2 weeks away, and I don't plan to skip it.

I'm afraid my leg will fall off during the race.

-dave


I agree it COULD be your meniscus, but MRI is typically needed to make a definitive diagnosis.

You look young-ish in your pic (< 35?). If it is a meniscal tear and you're under 35 or so, you've got a decent chance for it to heal and/or have a repair. Doing an Ironman w/ a torn meniscus might blow that chance and eff up your joint. SOunds like you're doing the IM anyway, so given that, I agree w/ the recommendation of seeing a doc ASAP after that. If I was your mom, I'd beg you not to do the race.

I'm no sports med expert, BTW - just an old f@rt (50) nursing my own meniscus tear for the past 3 months - so I've had some time to read about it.

Best of luck to you. I hope you finish and don't have permanent damage from the adventure. Please post again to let us know how you do.

2006-04-03 2:10 PM
in reply to: #386391

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Subject: RE: Ironman with a meniscus injury?
billcobit - 2006-04-03 3:50 AM

If I was your mom, I'd beg you not to do the race.



I don't think my mom is comfortable with any aspect of triathlons. She begged me not to start my first sprint after seeing the waves in the water. So...we're gonna go ahead and keep her in the dark about this one.

I work in a lab with an MRI machine. Maybe I can convince them to let me put my leg in it.
2006-04-03 8:47 PM
in reply to: #380049

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Subject: RE: Ironman with a meniscus injury?
Since your going to it anyway, stay off of it as much as possible (like no running until race day, and very easy biking), ice it, maybe take some Aleve or something similar to get the swelling down(though probably not like the night before race day and on race day- you should probably stick to Tylenol if you take anything then- others can tell you more about the risks with those drugs) and maybe try to get in the pool. Good luck, if it is really bad during the race then consider all your options and get it checked out right after the race, before you start running etc. again.
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