If you’ve been reading this blog and, if you read my book, From Couch Potato to Endurance Athlete – A Portrait of a Non-Athletic Triathlete, you know I’ve had issues with my right knee for a long time now. It feels strange to finally write these words, but here I am, sharing one of the most personal chapters of my journey with you.
Let me back up and tell you how we got here.
Where It All Started
My knee troubles didn’t happen overnight. Over the years, I’ve had at least two or three meniscus tears. The first one came from skiing, that classic active-life injury we athletes love to brag about later. The second one, though? That was a different kind of heartbreak.
I signed up for my third Half-Ironman event and was doing a brick workout after a 60-mile bike ride. I had just started my run, barely half a mile in, when I heard it. That awful, unmistakable snap. If you’ve ever heard your own body make a sound like that, you know the sinking feeling that follows. And honestly, after that moment, things just kept going downhill.
Trying to Avoid the Inevitable
I’m not someone who gives up easily. You know that about me. So I explored every option I could find before even whispering the words “knee replacement.”
First, I tried the MISHA. For those who haven’t heard of it, the MISHA is a hinge-like device that gets implanted into your tibia and patella. It’s supposed to take pressure off the joint. I had high hopes. But it just didn’t work for me. Even now, when I go out for a ride, I can feel it rubbing. It sits so close to the skin that it’s genuinely uncomfortable and painful.
Next came the injections. I tried the gel shots, and maybe they helped a tiny bit, but nowhere near enough to make a real difference. Then the cortisone shot, which did absolutely nothing. I kept hoping something, anything, would give me my life back without surgery.
Getting Not One, Not Two, But Three Opinions
When you’re facing a big decision, you get opinions. And when you’re me, you get three.
I saw a doctor at NYU whom I really liked. Then I visited two doctors at HSS, and I liked them both too. Three thoughtful, experienced surgeons, and here’s the thing that stopped me in my tracks: they all agreed. Every single one recommended removing the MISHA and getting a full knee replacement with the Stryker Triathlon knee.
There was one difference of opinion, though. One surgeon suggested I take out the MISHA first, wait a bit, and then get the replacement. He also gave me some advice I didn’t want to hear. He told me I shouldn’t ride the 600-mile bike ride across New York State. Because the MISHA sits so close to the skin, he explained, seven days of constant rubbing would only make my suffering worse.
I sat with that for a while. It wasn’t easy. That ride meant a lot to me. But deep down, I knew he was right. I asked for a deferment, and thankfully, it was granted.
The Emotional Side Nobody Talks About
I’ll be honest with you, I’ve felt depressed about all of this. There’s a grief that comes with realizing your body needs help, especially when your life revolves around swimming, biking, and running.
But I’m also hopeful. Genuinely hopeful. I keep picturing myself back in the pool, back on my bike, back out on a run. That vision is what keeps me going on the hard days.
Moving Forward
So here’s where I’ve landed. I’m getting the MISHA removed and having a Total Knee Replacement with the Stryker Triathlon knee.
Am I nervous? Absolutely. I really don’t want to do this. If there were another way, I’d take it in a heartbeat. But I’ve come to accept that I don’t have much of a choice anymore. This isn’t just about athletics. It’s about my quality of life, my everyday comfort, my ability to move through the world without that constant discomfort.
Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is admit you need help and take the next step forward, even when you’re scared.
I’ll keep you updated every step of the way, from surgery to recovery and back to the swim, bike, and run I love so much. Thank you for being here with me.
