Knee Surgery- Menicscus Experiences for Comparison

I had a medial Meniscus tear trimmed and shaped three months ago. Problem was the surgery got infected and the Surgeon had to go back in two weeks later and clean up the damage. I spent three days in the hospital with a drain and a month at home on IV Antibiotics (Vancomycin 1.5gms twice a day). Finally, I am starting to see a little progress.

Currently I am riding a stationary bike for thirty minutes 3-4 times a week and doing leg presses, curls and extensions with light weights. Yesterday I used and elliptical trainer for twenty minutes so I am getting back in the swing of things ever so slowly. My knee still swells a bit every day at work ( on my feet the whole time).

My biggest problem now other the general pain is pain in the lower front of my knee cap on steps or doing leg extensions. I can do hardly any weight on leg extensions because of the pain. There is also some tenderness still in the cartilage from time to time, but the pain in the knee cap is my premier problem/

I wanted to try and start running again this month and do a 5K on the 4th of July, which was my last one before my knee started giving me problems in the first place. I think I am going instead to use this month to build up more on the elliptical trainer, continue with the weights and stretching and do a little bicycling. I'll start running a little in July.

If anyone has had any experience in this area I'd love some feedback, either on what I am experiencing in recovery or what I am doing for Rehab. The infection is certainly what put a wrench in the whole situation. It was a terrible experience for what should have been a rather simple procedure. Surgery will be the very last thing I will ever do again, if ever.

Thanks in advance,

Sorry, should be bodyweight to *start*. Need more coffee.

Thank you M. Krista. I didn't reply to Gregg because I'm still hurting 3 months after meniscus surgery without infection. I may have run too soon and too much. I now have pain on the side of and behind my knee. Running hurts, fast walking hurts, walking down stairs hurts. I'm taking glucosamine chondroitin with MSM and will now try wall squats. I'd like to know if anyone out there is running after surgery.

I replied to Krista earlier thanking her, but sent a personal reply to her email address without changing it and it was returned. Anyway thanks Krista. Kathleen, I think that maybe we just may have expected the surgery to be somewhat miraculous and not realize that it takes time to heal. Good luck on your future healing.

Gregg