I was disgnosed--if one can even be sure of that--with PF in my right foot in January and followed the usual conservative regimen: no running for three weeks, then orthodics, then three more weeks of walking and stretching, then a few short runs of about two miles a week for two weeks, more pain, an orthotech walker an no running for two more weeks, and now I'm in a cast and hobbling around on crutches. The cast comes off next Saturday. If that fails, then it's the knife.
Running is my great stress relief, time to ease off the brain, get physical, boost my self-esteem in the summer months by shedding a few pounds. I'm no super-marathoner (I've run six in four years, averaging about 35 miles a week), finishing around 4:30 with the other slugs. I haven't missed more than two weeks in the past five years. I haven't run a step since January and I feel like I'm going crazy. I've supplemented running with biking, weights and swimming, but in the end they're cheap substitutes. And now that I'm on crutches I'm almost totally immobile.
What's most frustraing about this injury is that, despite all the postings and proclomations by wise and seasoned doctors and patients here, the cure remains elusive. Some days it hurts more than others, and the pain varies in severity and location. Laying off it for all these months seems to have eased the pain a bit, but I can't be sure. X-rays and MRI tests came back negative, but my doctor quickly added that they can miss things. IT could be a tear which, I am told, must be repaired surgically. So, in other words, X-rays and MRIs are totally worthless. It's a frustrating feeling, diminished hopes, helplessness. My doctor keeps telling me to try everything short of surgery first. I know he's probably right to play it safe, but some days I want to storm into his office and DEMAND he fix it NOW.
I don't mind the long recovery period; what I mind is not knowing whether I'm getting any better. I've already written off my running season this summer and I'm starting to feel like I'll never run again. Doctors seem to forget that HUMAN BEINGS are attached to the feet they treat, and that the loss of mobility can be a crippling experience--physically and otherwise. All too often they nod and give you that "I feel your pain" look, then hop into their car and drive home to play tennis.
Has anyone experienced similar feelings? And how did you overcome them? I'm at my wit's end.