A few minutes ago, in 96º heat, I did my first run since 28 April. I injured my left knee during a 4.3-mile run on that date. Although I've been running in earnest since September 1996, I've never had a knee injury. I've had an ankle injury, a toe injury, a foot injury, a hip injury, and back injuries, but never a knee injury. I guess I've been blessed. The left knee ached on the inside, so I infer that I did something to the meniscus. All I could do is wait for it to heal. I took two ibuprofen tablets early on to reduce inflammation and used an ice pack once or twice. Other than that, my therapy consisted of taking it easy (which did not exclude long walks with Shelbie or playing softball). Oddly enough, cycling had no effect on the knee; nor did the sore knee affect my cycling. I would have gone crazy without aerobic exercise.
I was worried sick that my knee would ache again after today's run, but so far (knock on wood) it feels fine. I can't imagine a life without running. Curro ergo sum!
Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D. 