Ankle Update

I've struggled with a swollen ankle since I stepped off my porch wrong in June of 2021. Now, I have finally found an answer (hopefully!) after 18 months, six different doctors, boots, canes, physical therapy, cortisone shots, multiple MRIs and x-rays, and an EMG test.

I am curious if this relates to my lifelong struggles with my legs or if it would have happened anyway. I have repeatedly sprained the same ankle (my left) over the years. Usually, at least once a year. I finally found a doctor who looked at the joint and realized and could demonstrate to me that my ankle is so loose that it slides from side to side. He explained that as long as this keeps happening, I will keep having problems. It also explains why when I quit wearing the boot; I reinjure it again.

Now I'm scheduled for surgery on December 7th. It will be an arthroscopic procedure similar to an ArthroBrostom. He will clean out some of the damage and then tighten up my ankle to prevent further injury. I will need to be off my foot for four weeks, and it will take several months to get to good mobility. I will need several months of physical therapy. I probably will never be at 100% again as the surgery reduces the ankle's motion, but that's also the point of it all. It's better than where I'm currently at, though, since I have very poor mobility without any prospect of improvement.

Of course, I realize there are risks to surgery and that this still may not solve my problems, but I'm hopeful because it makes sense to me and aligns with what I feel is going on. I also have plantar fasciatis and Achilles tendonitis. Still, those have most likely been quite aggravated by my long-term boot usage, and the doctor thinks those will resolve once the ankle stops being agitated all the time. As a fun bonus, I even have a torn gluteus minimus which is also probably related to the extensive wearing of the boot. So much fun!

It's been a challenging journey, especially over the last few months. I wanted to give up on going to another doctor, but I also knew that wasn't a possibility. Living in constant pain takes a toll. As a result, I've had difficulty concentrating on the things I love and want to do. I'm hoping that will improve.

What does that mean for this site, my designs, my social media channels, and my other creative endeavors? Well, I'm just going to do my best. I'll still be here, and my daughter Riley, who works with me, has now returned from maternity leave and can help me with a few things. I could take a break from it all if I needed to, but the truth is that I enjoy it. I need this little space to help me feel creative, and I want to keep that.

So the journey continues, and I'm grateful for a new route leading to better paths. And someday, I am hoping to wear two shoes again!