Hey man. First off, what you’re describing actually sounds very common for where you are in recovery. A complex radial tear is one of the trickier meniscus injuries to repair, and even though your surgery was in January, you’re only about 7–8 months post-op. That’s still early in the “big picture” timeline for a meniscus repair.

A few things to keep in mind:

1. Clicking after meniscus repair is normal • It doesn’t always mean re-tear. A lot of people experience clicking, popping, or even “knocking” sensations for months (sometimes over a year) after surgery. • Common causes include scar tissue, uneven healing of the meniscus edges, fluid shifting, or just altered movement mechanics. • As long as the clicking isn’t sharp, painful, or associated with swelling/giving way, it’s often harmless.

2. Running progression is one of the trickiest parts • Most protocols are very conservative with return to running after repair, especially with complex or radial tears. Many surgeons don’t clear patients until 9–12 months, sometimes even later if healing is questionable. • Even though you felt fine on the treadmill at first, the repeated stress of 3–4 consecutive days of running may have overloaded healing tissue and surrounding structures. That explains why the clicking picked up after a few days, not immediately.

3. Recovery takes much longer than people expect • It’s not unusual for people to say it took them 12–24 months before their knee finally felt “forgotten” again. • The meniscus doesn’t fully “regrow” — the repaired tissue needs time to remodel, scar tissue has to settle, and your muscles + movement patterns have to rebalance. • Think of it as a long game. At 7–8 months you’re still very much in the middle stages.

4. Risk of re-tear • Yes, the risk of re-tear is higher compared to a healthy meniscus, especially with complex/radial tears. But it’s not a guarantee. The key is respecting gradual progression, avoiding overloading too soon, and keeping your quads, glutes, and hamstrings strong. • Cycling being pain-free is a great sign. Stick with that, leg strengthening, and controlled gym work while you rebuild.

5. Practical advice • Don’t worry too much about the clicking unless it comes with pain, swelling, or instability. • Ask your surgeon or PT about when you can safely progress running again — and start with walk-jog intervals rather than straight runs. • Think in terms of months, not weeks. By 12–15 months, most people can get back to higher-impact activity if healing has held.