Michael Santee of Palmyra, N.J., is training for the 26.2-mile Philadelphia Marathon in November. Two and a half years ago he couldn’t walk after shattering his knee from a Jet Ski accident.

In August 2005, Santee was riding a Jet Ski when he fell off and struck his knee on the machine as he slammed into the water.

“My knee exploded,” he said.

The accident shattered his patella, which needed to be pieced back together. The pain was excruciating and the probability of achieving his goal to run a marathon before he turned 40 was bleak. Santee was 35.

After visiting a local physician, Santee visited Dr. Robert Frederick of the Rothman Institute for a second opinion.

“A friend told me about the Rothman Institute and how they work on all athletes, so I trusted Dr. Frederick,” he said.

Dr. Frederick, who is a team physician for the Phillies and U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Team, used screws and pins to put Santee’s knee back together. Santee couldn’t bend his knee because of the excessive amount of scar tissue in his joint. Two month after surgery, the hardware was removed and, though the surgery was considered successful, because of the severity of the injury Santee was told he likely wouldn’t be able to run again.

Santee was determined to accomplish his goal, so he began running in the spring of ‘06. Twelve months post–surgery, Santee was running 10 miles. Today, just five months remain before the marathon, and Santee is ready. He will turn 39 just 10 days before the marathon, so this is his last chance before he turns 40.

“My knee is 100 percent recovered. I have no pain and no problems.”