Living with Foot/Ankle Issues

I wish i found this website earlier, because i am not sure where to begin. I guess i will start by explaining that i am (was) a runner. i am the top runner at bloomsburg university, on scholarship. i walked on to the team with no experience, and throughout my freshman year fell in love with the sport, and found to have a lot of talent. from the begining i learned that i was prone to having tight ITB’s but when i stopped running for a bit ( which was hell for me) the pain in my leg and knee subsided. i had the most amazing sophomore year with my running career. i trained good and hard. i was in the best shape of my life. Then all my accomplishments and dreams came crashing down.

Last May 2008 i came home from college for the summer. i was excited to train all summer and run some road races. none of that happened. my itb was killing me on my right leg. i tried to keep running but couldnt take it anymore so i decided it would be good to take a break for a week, since i had been training for 3 seasons straight. 1 week went by and no relief. i went out to run and would come back limping or crying, the pain was still there. i was getting upset bc i live to run. i went to my orthopedic and he said i just had tight itb’s and needed rest. I HATE RESTING! but it was okay, i was in great shape and another week wouldnt kill me.

the pain got worse. i didnt do anything for months and the pain didnt go away. i was so depressed. my entire summer was filled with doctor appointments, physical therepy and tests ( mri’s xrays bonescanes ect) my xc season was creepying up on me and i was depressed and now out of shape. then one day in aug i was trying to run again and out of no where the pain jumped to my left leg, and my right was fine. i didnt do anything abnormal. now the pain was on my left and i still could not run. For the past 10 months my left leg was in pain. i could lay on my hip(s) it was hard to get comfortable and the pain was very unpredictable. i didnt no what made it better or worse. some days i could barely walk. i was miserable.

i spent my entire jr. year at college on the ellipitcal and watching my team run without me. Now it has been over a year and i am beyond depressed, 10lbs heavier, and miss running more then anything. i tried running a few weeks ago and even with some discomfort i was managing. then the dreaded switch happened again. after 10months the pain returned to my right leg. i am at a lost at what to do or even what the problem is. all my studies come back fine. i have gotten orthotics and am in pt and have rested for a LONG time. i need to get better. this injury has changed my life for the worst and i am desperate for answers and my sport back.