Recovering From Microfracture Surgery

Just needing some advice! I just turned 40, had microfracture on my right knee 4 months ago. Training for Boston, I tore the cartilage off on a speed training run. Got a cortisone shot and ran Boston then came home to surgery. They thought it was just torn cartilage and I would be back to running in 3 weeks. It ended being bone on bone about the size of a dime on the lateral side of the knee. I didn't even know what micro-fracture was until I found out after surgery that it was done on my patella. I'm still healing. It still swells every now and again and is painful for a day or two when I push it. The ortho surgeon told me that running is completely out and hiking is too, unless it is a mild hike. It has been a depressing summer. Any advice??

Steam,

I had a very similar experience. I was in your exact boat the first year after surgery. I went through the emotional roller coaster of thinking I will never compete or run again. It was very difficult time if you go back and read my blog from the summer of 2008 you will see what I was going through. My doctor said similar things but he said that I could try and run again but to be very slow about it. He also said by running it may only last for a period of years or miles before it failed. Basically if I could run again he said it may be on borrowed time. He had me on no weight bearing for first couple months and then physical therapy and biking and elliptical only until 6 months. Once I started running again it was not fun but I kept it to a half mile or a mile until things progressed. I actually discovered that I started running more on my foretold/toes to reduce pain and impact. Like you I love to run and did not give up. It was hard to come to grips that I may not compete at same level again but once I accepted that just being able to run was a blessing I was good with whatever the outcome. Yes my knee still hurts at times and is almost always noticeable to some extent even on my best days but I am now back to 75 to 80 miles a week and getting some decent speed back. So after 6 months take it a day at a time and mile at a time but don't give up hope. I would only cross train until 6 month mark. Best of luck and try to stay positive.