Running a marathon after minimally invasive knee and ankle surgery

As the proud sponsor of Wellness Wednesdays, on WSVN7, Baptist Health South Florida has produced a series of interviews and tips from marathoners, medical experts and sports professionals who will show you how to accomplish your goals and kick off the new year for a healthier, happier and more active you!

The series, which began December 13, will continue until the ING Miami Marathon on Sunday, January 27. Many of the people you will meet throughout the series are “regular” people who made a resolution to become healthy and enjoy a better lifestyle.

Meet Jeanie Viduaretta, a marathoner who had minimally invasive surgery.

Jeanie is a 50-year old mother of two teenagers, CIO of Top Secret Nutrition, and a half-marathon runner who had minimally invasive knee and ankle surgery several years ago.  After a four-month period of rehabilitation for her knee, she was up and running once again.

At the recommendation of her Doctors Hospital doctors, Dr. John Uribe and Dr. Thomas San Giovanni, Jeanie decided to have minimally invasive surgery after she broke her ankle playing soccer with her daughters and later tore her meniscus (a piece of cartilage in the middle of the knee) practicing Tae Kwon Do. The meniscus acts as a shock absorber when you’re walking. It can tear from traumatic injury, but also from overuse and doing simple movements.

A meniscus tear is one of the most common knee injuries and is very often treated with minimally invasive surgery.  Jeanie chose this type of surgery because of her active lifestyle, and also because of the shorter recovery period.  An additional benefit is there is also less pain.

Jeanie says she “would absolutely recommend minimally invasive surgery” – and with the right doctors and the right physical therapy, you can be “better than ever.” 

She highly recommends Doctors Hospital and plans to beat her time in the ING Miami half marathon on January 27.

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Tags: ING Miami Marathon, Jeanie Viduaretta, John Uribe M.D., Thomas San Giovanni M.D., Wellness Wednesdays