Real-Life Decision Making -- Solution
You give her another prescription for painkillers.
As a sports doctor, you feel you need to make this athlete's life as comfortable as possible.
The patient is planning on continuing with her current exercise regime. However, she will try to do more of the cycling and tennis than running. She knows she needs the painkillers because she doesn't want to give up the sport.
You make certain that you explain to this patient that she wouldn't need these painkillers if she were to reduce the amount of stress on her knee. You also discuss in great detail all the effects of taking these painkillers, explaining that they are an unhealthy choice.
Sports doctor Ron Reznick says that many of his sports medicine patients are "non-compliant." That means they don't give in easy. Perhaps it is all part of their nature as competitive athletes. They're not willing to give in easily and want to continue to strive to be the best athlete that they can be.
However, your decision to give her painkillers is allowing the patient to continue running. It could lead to permanent damage, or to the patient developing an addiction to painkillers. Maybe it would have been better for your patient's overall health to let her feel the pain.