Does Supartz help with painful knees?

I had Supartz about 3 years ago. Almost the exact same time situation as you. After running about about 30 years, I had to have my knee scoped for a plica removal, and the Dr said then that my cartilage was shot and to give up running. I kept running fairly succcessfully for 9 years more until my right knee just started aching terribly, just about where your knees hurt. I tried the Supartz injections (I had 5), and i thought they only gave me minimal relief at first, but after a couple of months, my knee was totally pain free while running 40 to 50 miles a week. That lasted for about a year or so, and then the pain came back with a vengeance. It was much worse that before, and the same Dr. recommended that I stop running. I don't know if running after Supartz caused my knee to deteriorate further, or not...but at age 54 I decided to become a biker.

I'd rather be running.

I hope this helps you.

Yea, that helps. You were able to run 40 to 50 miles after the treatment!! I'm 52, so maybe I can run til 54 like you. I only need to do 15 or 20 mpw. If I can run a 5k here and there I'll be satisfied. My last race was a mile race in July. I have not raced anything longer than a 10k since Apr 08.

The Dr said that my cartilage looks OK based on x-rays. Interesting that you can bike without the pain. I can feel the stress on stationary bikes. Was there a period in which you did not run for weeks or more?

Biking is absolutely NOT pain free. I can aggravate my knee with very little effort. My problem when i tried the bike was that my knee was so inflamed after trying to run that even biking was too painful at first. I just had to force myself to to nothing for about 6 weeks until my knee calmed down a bit and with the help of tons of Ibuprofin i got it somewhat under control. My biggest problem was my own stubbornness. I was always pretty good at blocking out the pain when I ran...but it would wake me up 2 or 3 times every night, and driving a car was almost impossible to do. I would take time off running when the pain got too uncomfortable, maybe three weeks to a month, but at its worst, the pain would become too much even after the 2nd or 3rd run.

For what its worth, I would certainly try the Supartz. It can't hurt and if it works for a year or so then its worth it. I was willing to do it again, but the Dr knew I'd just go blasting again and probably make it worse. I just feel that running 15 MPW at 10 minute pace is worse than not running at all. It would be too frustrating for me. That's the main reason I decided to give it up.

I dread the idea of biking for excercise. I'll be quite happy with running the 15 if I can do it for years more. I normally train at about 8-8:30 min pace with about 25% at 7 to 7:30. The ventures into speed work, 1/4s at 78 to 80, a switch to spikes for a few mile races probably did me in this year.

Last year I averaged 16.3 mpw (max 22) and managed a 5:19 mi & 18:31 5k...slowed to 5:25 mi, 18:51 5k this year. Almost all my training has been on a treadmill. After the knee episode 9 yrs ago, I began running on TMs. I think this has helped me last this long. It was way back in 1989 when my mileage was 50 + mpw.

I'm going to run today and will try the Spartz in 11 days. Kind of like you, I'm planning on trying to run through the pain for awhile, no matter what I do? I don't have the burning knees yet, when driving or sitting like I did years ago...this is encouraging.

I remember when I said, "The day I have to run on a treadmill is the day I quit for good." That was about 10 years ago, but the last 7 years or so were almost exclusively on the treadmill. I ran on a very nice True machine, and I know it saved my knees a ton of aggravation. My training and racing times were remarkably close to yours.

Good luck.