I mentioned in an earlier thread that I had been having pain and swelling in my right knee. The swelling got to the point where people would stop me and remark about one leg being much larger than the other - from mid thigh to ankle. (wear the traditional Bermuda shorts and long socks to work). As a workmate put it - "Looks like someone sewed the wrong leg onto your body."
Tried various medications and strengthening exercise - but nothing worked for very long. One day running downhill - experienced a very sharp pain behind the knee. XRays and an MRI showed osteoarthritis, a rather large Baker's Cyst - which was leaking (hence the swollen calf and ankles), a partially torn meniscus and "macerated" cartilage. As my GP put it - "dude you got one really messed up knee."
Lots of physiotherapy later, including a very painful shot of a substance to lubricate the knee better - all the docs are saying - "No more running. - Ride a bike to build up the muscles you need to support the knee." Problem is I quit biking 'cause I was taken out by a kid on a moped while riding.
I had knee problems and was close to quitting when I discovered barefoot running - through Michael Sandler and Jessica Lee's book - then discovered you guys sometime later. Thing is after I transitioned to BF running - not one blister along the way - all the pain went away and I was really enjoying running again - and my dogs were really loving running with me. No doubt years of running incorrectly - heel landing and the twisting, turning, sudden acceleration and stops in running agility courses with my dogs took its toll. Wish I had been taught to run properly earlier - or discovered BF running years earlier. The docs have the consensus that the BF running at least gave me those extra years of running - but the transition came too late to prevent the damage from getting bad. So now I walk and at some point gonna have to get over my fear of a bike and start riding again. I am pragmatic - thankful I can walk and can still be active.
At any rate - I will always remain a member and perhaps can contribute one day to the "People's Reactions to Barefoot Walking" thread! I wanted to say - barefoot running gave me 6 extra years of running that I would otherwise would not have had. Cheers to the BRS!
Tried various medications and strengthening exercise - but nothing worked for very long. One day running downhill - experienced a very sharp pain behind the knee. XRays and an MRI showed osteoarthritis, a rather large Baker's Cyst - which was leaking (hence the swollen calf and ankles), a partially torn meniscus and "macerated" cartilage. As my GP put it - "dude you got one really messed up knee."
Lots of physiotherapy later, including a very painful shot of a substance to lubricate the knee better - all the docs are saying - "No more running. - Ride a bike to build up the muscles you need to support the knee." Problem is I quit biking 'cause I was taken out by a kid on a moped while riding.
I had knee problems and was close to quitting when I discovered barefoot running - through Michael Sandler and Jessica Lee's book - then discovered you guys sometime later. Thing is after I transitioned to BF running - not one blister along the way - all the pain went away and I was really enjoying running again - and my dogs were really loving running with me. No doubt years of running incorrectly - heel landing and the twisting, turning, sudden acceleration and stops in running agility courses with my dogs took its toll. Wish I had been taught to run properly earlier - or discovered BF running years earlier. The docs have the consensus that the BF running at least gave me those extra years of running - but the transition came too late to prevent the damage from getting bad. So now I walk and at some point gonna have to get over my fear of a bike and start riding again. I am pragmatic - thankful I can walk and can still be active.
At any rate - I will always remain a member and perhaps can contribute one day to the "People's Reactions to Barefoot Walking" thread! I wanted to say - barefoot running gave me 6 extra years of running that I would otherwise would not have had. Cheers to the BRS!