Hi there. I'm 27 and I've gone my whole life with flat feet and pronated ankles without orthotics until about 3 months ago. To start, my ankles and feet never really gave me problems. Last summer, I decided to start running. I loved it and managed to work my way up to 2 miles without stopping (I know, that's not much for actual runners, but for me it was great). My ankles started hurting a little bit, but I would just run through it. I bought a $100 pair of Brooks running shoes which helped the shock a little, but not the ankle pain. Eventually, my right ankle started having pain... felt like bone pain. So I went to a podiatrist who had me fit for orthotics and warned me not to run anymore because I was born with a "bad set of wheels." I've stopped running (the running period only lasted a few months of the summer).
Ever since getting the orthotics, they feel good when I walk, though my ankles now pop and crack in the morning for the first 10-20 steps. Additionally, I'll be sitting and I can feel a slight warmness in my left ankle and when I pop it, it feels better. Kinda like tendinitis or something.
Anyways, I'm not sure what I should do. I've been taking glucosamine/chrondroiton (sp?) and omega3 with fish oil pills for a month or two but they aren't healing. I'm wondering if I permanently damaged my ankles and have to look forward to continual degeneration of my ankles and arthritis and all that jazz. I work full time and am in college full time so my money is limited (the $500 orthotics killed me) and my time is limited, though if someone thinks I should go back and report my ankle condition, I will do what it takes. This all really bums me out because I'm in school to become a physicians assistant and plan to be on my feet and not in a wheelchair or whatever. I'd also like to get some cardiovascular activity back in my life as it keeps me sane in a lifestyle of all work and no play.
Can anyone offer any advice? Thanks for reading this. |