Knee bruise after running

[dana540]

Hi, I know there are several related questions on the boards but haven't found any with responses after more information was supplied.  I am a long distance runner, and have been for years, but recently have been having left knee pain.  I had an MRI, which revealed a non-displaced longitudinal tear of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus.  I've also been having pes tendinitis and seriously tight hamstrings (biceps femoris) that feels as if there is an adhesion or deep bruise near the back of the knee (inferior portion of the biceps femoris).  If I palpate it, it is painful and there is a lump that feels like a muscle knot.  The orthopedist suspects that the meniscus tear is old and asymptomatic and that my current problems are related to pes tendinitis and related tightness in the gracilis because there was never a twisting injury or a popping sound prior to the pain starting.  

I ran a marathon last week with compression tights and kinesio tape around the hamstring and along the gracilis and felt fine throughout the race.  Afterward, I had a large bruise at the top of the knee cap that I thought was from massaging the area too hard.  I ran 10 miles yesterday in regular tights without any tape and found 3 small bruises (finger point-sized) along the medial joint line last night.  My knee is stiff and painful today underneath the knee cap where the pes anserine tendon inserts and to the inside of the knee cap (medially).  I also have pain in the middle of the back of the knee, is especially sharp if I push into it.

In terms of comfort and daily activities, I am having no trouble walking except that my knee will get a little swollen (very slight) and stiff if I walk a lot.  If I sit for too long, I feel as though I have to move my leg but cannot really find a way to sit that is comfortable for the knee.  I have the sensation of not being able to fully extend my left leg because of the knee, but treating the pes tendinitis helps with this.  I don't have any of the grinding, popping, or locking that is usually seen with a meniscus tear.

I suppose my questions would be whether the bruises are from massaging too hard or if they signify damage to the knee.  If it is damage, to which structures and what might I expect?  I am just now gearing up for a lot of miles and don't want to keep having this pain.  I took most of the month of October off to rest my knee and will lose all of my fitness if I continue to miss weeks.  

I know this has been a really long post -- thank you for reading it.  Any information that anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated.  I have an appointment on Wednesday with someone who practices Active Release Technique and hope that will relieve the hamstrings and the muscles going into the pes tendon.  However, I would really welcome information from someone who has knowledge or experience with this, whether it is a provider or someone in a similar situation.

Thanks,
Dana

[gymdandee]

I would like to know what the doctor said about the tear? I was a runner but I had to have both knees replaced so no running. I suggest resting the knees and fixing the tear

[dana540]

Hi, I was told that since the tear was likely asymptomatic, I could run the marathon as long as I didn't get the clicking or locking or feel any significant pain (indicating that the tear was now displaced).  If any of that happens at any point, I will have to go in for a partial menisectomy.  The tear is in the "white zone" so it won't heal on its own because there is no blood supply (it is to the interior of the knee).  

Do you know if you will be able to run at any point?  I run with a few people who had knees replaced and are able to run -- it was a slow process and it took a few years, but they have been able to return to running.  Good luck.

Dana

[gymdandee]

I can run the doctor said it won't last from the pounding and in time it will have to be replaced again.I belong to a gym and get my cardio from Interval training and speed cycling