How it happened

Well, where do I begin.  I guess it's best to start with the fact that I have had a history of very bad sprains to my left ankle.  In fact, they have been so bad that I can distinctly remember each sprain.

1) My first time ice skating
2) My first time skiing
3) Randomly fell down the steps running for the phone
4) and of course the last and final sprain happened March of 2011 when I missed the step coming out of my house chasing after my dog.

I blame the dog!

So yeah, I have had a few sprains to my ankle and if you were to tell me years ago that it could all lead to where I am today then I am sure I would have done things a whole heck of alot different.  I digress, so I was chasing my dog and I missed the step.  I heard a pop and my ankle bone was kissing the pavement (which is a weird feeling, I do not recommend).  Anyways, I initially thought for sure I broke something but after a visit to the ER it was confirmed that it was just a sprain.  I was advised to get around by crutches for a few days and do the RICE thing.  I did as I was told and within a week I was back on my feet.  Now here's where I should have taken notice.  Within the first 3 weeks after my injury I rolled my ankle at least once a week.  It's funny how with each sprain week after week, the pain was actually not as bad as the first one.  I guess my ligament was like a rubber band that has been overstretched and that initial tight pop hurt a whole lot, but after several more pops the laxity was just not there anymore and lord knows what will happen if I keep spraining the thing.  Either way, I guess the major damage is done.  So, eventually I did stop rolling my ankle after my March 2011 sprain and I seemed to be on the healing path again.  The soreness and swelling started to fade, life was good...so I thought.

As time went by I did feel improvement and it was almost like the injury was healing...very slowly. Walking became easier and i even got ahead of myself and signed up for some marathons. I guess things were to good to be true because in what seemed like no time at all everything slowly started to go downhill very quick and very painful. Thinking back I've tried to pinpoint what I did wrong or maybe I was just doomed from the start.    Who knows, all I know was that by August of 2011 I was limping again and my ankle throbbed most nights which was not only a bad sign, but was the beginning of many sleepless nights.  It was then that I realized things were no longer improving and I needed help.  It was time to find a good orthopedic sports doc who could do ankles, yup cause this thing hurts!