Jill Finkelstein

“I immediately knew something was terribly wrong, but I’m determined, so I kept running on it that day before I realized that the pain wasn’t going to pass,” Finkelstein said. “I knew I needed to have my knee assessed by a doctor.”

Daniel Kanell, M.D., an orthopedic specialist with the Broward Health Physician Group, initially evaluated Finkelstein and ordered an MRI from Broward Health Imaging Center. The same-day results suggested that she had a meniscus tear that would require surgery.

Finkelstein was immediately referred to Jason Walters, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon with Broward Health Physician Group who specializes in sports medicine, treating complex injuries of the knee, shoulder, elbow and ankle. Finkelstein made it clear to both doctors that her goal was to be able to run the New York City Marathon that was coming up in just 12 weeks. Dr. Walters was hopeful, and three days later, Finkelstein underwent an outpatient orthoscopic partial meniscectomy at Broward Health Imperial Point.

“Dr. Walters was so friendly and understanding, he went above and beyond explaining the surgery and educating me on the anatomy of my knee,” Finkelstein said. “I knew I was in very good hands.”

The outpatient surgery, which lasted about twenty minutes, went smoothly with the special attention of Broward Health’s highly skilled and compassionate nurses, who were not only attentive to Finkelstein’s family but very nurturing to her. Finkelstein experienced minimal pain and was sent home with an ice machine that delivered consistent cooling post-surgery to minimize the swelling.

Two weeks later, Finkelstein began intensive physical therapy and in record time felt she was ready. While her normal marathon training plan calls for 18 to 20 weeks of conditioning, Finkelstein was determined and created a plan, which included continuous rehabilitation therapy and three weeks of training prior to the New York City Marathon.

“I treat each patient individually, based on their age, goals and physiology,” said Dr. Walters. “I see this type of tear a lot with athletes that twist or fall, but it can also be a degenerative issue with older adults that doesn’t necessarily require surgery. Jill, however, is active, energetic and goal driven. So, surgery was the ideal solution for her lifestyle. From the start I was cautiously optimistic, explaining that many patients can take anywhere from six to 12 weeks to simply get back to day-to-day normalcy. Jill’s strong will and determination was impressive and made a significant impact on her rapid recovery and training success.”

With support from her medical team and disciplined approach to healing, Finkelstein reached her goal, crossing the finish line of the 26.2-mile New York City Marathon. While she did not finish as strongly as she was accustomed to, she continued to heal with physical therapy and began 10 weeks of training for the Tokyo marathon which she successfully completed in early March, earning her personal best time.

“I started running marathons late in life, at age 40, and for me it’s about more than just running,” Finkelstein added. “I’m part of an amazing running group that I met through friends at Orange Theory, and we enjoy socializing, traveling and training together. I love a great challenge. Thanks to my excellent care at Broward Health, I’m able to continue to enjoy my passions and live life to the fullest.”

Broward Health’s orthopedic specialists are experienced in a wide range of diseases and conditions to treat all your orthopedic needs. Work and play can lead to sudden injuries that need immediate care while long-term overuse injuries deteriorate joints over time which can require specialized care. In addition to treating unexpected orthopedic injuries, Broward Health’s team of orthopedic specialists are highly experienced in partial and total joint replacements.

Orthopedic Care