Third Time is Definitely a Charm!

A few weeks before Christmas, I noticed the top of my foot was a little swollen. Then it just started to hurt a little, so I stopped running completely, just thinking it would heal itself. Well, I was wrong. The situation got worse, my foot swelled up a lot and hurt all the time. Then my ankle started in on the party. I did everything the doctors always tell you to do. Rest, ice, compression, elevation, and Ibuprofen. It would get better, but not really, because once I resumed normal activity, the symptoms would just come back. Some nights I feel like my foot is going to fall off.

I have been to the doctor, x-rays are normal, no fracture, no ligaments torn, nothing. Physical therapist didn’t know what was wrong with it (maybe soft tissue), only that I did indeed “injure it in some way” and gave me some exercises (and reeled me in to come back for more therapy sessions). At $100 a session, no thank you, I can do the exercises on my own at home. The exercises did not help much.

I decided to give up on seeing professionals, a lot of praying and fasting, and a lot of rest. I resisted any form of exercise or walking (some of you may wonder what’s the big deal, sounds like a vacation!). I thought I might try again this last week to do some exercise on it, and quickly learned that it just was not healing!

I don’t realize it because I am so busy with kids from day to day, but this has been a big trial! I am a very active person, and all the things I really enjoy doing require movement and the use of my feet! I have been so limited, and it’s just sad when I am driving down the road and see people running and want to be out there with them!

So, I decided I could not live this way, even if I have to break my foot myself just so someone can heal it! As a last act of desperation, I received a ValPak coupon in the mail for a foot/ankle consultation. What could it hurt, maybe he could tell me something the other professionals could not…

I am thrilled and excited to say that the third time is definitely the charm in this situation! Even before he touched my foot, the genius doctor knew what was wrong with it! AT LAST! How ironic that I was so happy to know that I had injured my foot “long term” as he put it! Something is actually wrong with my foot and it’s not in my head. Turns out, I have something called Cuboid Syndrome (I had to have him write that down)! One of the bones in my foot was dislocated so badly that he could obviously hear and feel the clicking and when he tried to adjust or pop it back into place, it didn’t go back in. (AHH, so this is why when I walk, my foot turns to the left instead of straight!) I also have what’s called Sinus Tarsus Syndrome. It all makes so much sense and is exactly what I have been experiencing. I am on the uphill climb to healing. Even if it means getting $400 orthotics or cortisone shots, at least I know it can be fixed and I can get on with the things I enjoy doing. So what was the cause of all this? BAD FEET, it’s the genes, so thanks mom and dad!