Footie Updates...

My sore footie, not the fun football footie.

Had my follow up appointment today about my ankle. The MRI showed a variety pack of old and new damage. I have a tear in my Achilles tendon and one in my peroneal tendon. Both lateral tears. Think of a split in the tendon instead of a severing. I have a ton of thickening and scar tissue from old injuries. And it's all wrapped around just a plethora of arthritis.

The peroneal tendon tear is new, and I'm sure it was the super sharp and extremely painful thing that happened a few weeks ago that led to me getting the appointment in the first place. The Achilles tear is old and what's causing extra pain right now is that the space that was left open from the tear is filling with fluid. Not quite a cyst, but sort of the same idea.

Because the peroneal tendon tear hasn't really caused me issues after that first day we are going to see if it heals on its own. He is going to drain the fluid behind the Achilles tendon in a couple of weeks. Dry needling. Doesn't that sound exciting? At least he numbs the heel first so it won't be like the PRP treatment on my elbow. Although if it doesn't feel better after the dry needling and little bit of PT to heal it up we can try the PRP as well.

I am not in favor of that option, let me tell you.

He also wants me to start wearing shoes with inserts all the time. I mean all the time. No barefoot at the house. We disagree on that point. We disagreed a lot on that point. He pulled out the "well, sure, we have different opinions but you are here seeing me to get help in healing and this is my recommendation so..."

Well fine. Fuck you. I'll buy some inside shoes and wear those I guess.

At least for a little bit.

I disagree that wearing shoes is healthier for your feet than going barefoot. Just to have it on the record.

So that's where I am. Old injury acting up. New injury adding a level of spice. Something we might be able to fix. Some things that I'm just going to have to keep living with.

I told Brent the other day that I'd like to have a window into another path. I've been working out for ages. I am consistent. The only times I don't work out is when I'm injured or sick. Other than that, I work out. I lift weights, I do cardio. We figured out how to outfit a decent home gym when Covid hit. I am consistent. I do it to stay healthy.

And yet...

I am a webwork of faulty tendons and other connective tissues (shoulder, elbow, feet) wrapped around a bunch of arthritic bones. I bounce from one minor injury to the next. Sometimes not so minor. And then the general aches and pains. And you all know my struggles with my weight.

What would my health be like if I didn't workout so consistently? I mean...would I be in the exact same space or would I actually be worse off? Because it's a chunk of time every week. It's not something I enjoy. It's something I remind myself that I do to stay mobile.

And yet...

But that's just pouting. I actually know what it would be like because the times I've had to take long stretches off I know how much my arthritic bones ache. I know how much it hurts, and how difficult it is, to just move through life. I do know that I am doing good by being consistent in my workouts but it's just very frustrating that it's not the secret to eternal youth.

After the doctor went over everything with me he stood up to leave and grabbed his lower back a little. "Don't get old" he said, "Oh, hun, it's way too late for that" was my reply.