Knee problem – can't run after 8 weeks off!

Hi…

I need advice. While on vacation in August, I started getting pain in my left knee after running. It is around the patella towards the outside and extends to the bottom of it. I went to the Dr., he took x-rays and diagnosed me with runner’s knee, damage to the cartilage. This sounded like a “general” catch-all diagnosis but he said I should recover and be able to run again. I consulted a personal trainer who put me on a program of biking, cross-trainer machine for cardio and weights for strengthening the quads. My left quad is a lot weaker than the right one, but my left leg has always been a lot weaker than the right. I am also on some NSAIDs. The pain gradually diminished over the last few weeks, only a bit of stiffness remained. I tried to run only for 10 minutes on Saturday and this put me in severe pain again for the last two days! What should I do? Will I ever be able to run, do step classes or aerobics ever again? Or will I be doomed to non-impacting activities for the rest of my life? I am afraid this will age me…now I am 45 but look 35…due to exercising for 25 years. HELP!

Thanks…

Francine