Visit to the Doctor

So I have finally visited the doctor, an ankle specialist at KL Sports Medicine Centre which was conveniently located near my office, and I finally know what is wrong with me after so many years of  saying "my ankle is painful".

Verdict : Accessory Navicular Syndrome
Meaning : I have an extra bone in my foot that is holding my Posterior Tibial Tendon, it is quite uncommon and most people do not have it. Unfortunately however, I have been blessed with it.

 Above is what the doc drew out for me. 

The first image shows a normal persons foot. The navicular bone connected to the posterior tibial tendon.

The second image is  my foot. It has an extra tiny bone (the "accessory bone"), and that tiny bone holds my posterior tibial tendon, and connects to the navicular bone. The connection between these two (in red in the picture above) is now inflamed and irritated because I have been pushing myself with the walking and running. Below, the x-ray of my foot. In the circled part you can see the tiny accessory bone.

This has been the reason of my sharp pain! My previous post I circled the exact same spot, and now the x-ray and I finally know the cause!

Anyway, this condition is common with people who have flat feet and fallen arches, both of which I have.

So what is the treatment? Well the doctor told me I have to do a few things :

1. Wear my Arches CONSTANTLY! (something which I have not really been doing at all even though I have them)- I need to get proper arch support shoes for my daily use, and make sure I put the arches in whenever I run. These arches give relief to that area. 
2. As for the immediate problem now,he gave me this gel to rub on that area and also he told me to ice my foot to reduce the swelling. He told me to take it easy on the running for a few days and rest my feet. He said I can still run if I really wanted to (but I shouldn't), but I absolutely have to wear my arches. He kept stressing that they are incredibly important. 
3. I would need to go for some Physio therapy as well to strengthen my ankle etc. 

So yeah, these are the 3 things I have to do. The best thing tho, when I asked him if I would have to give up running for good, he said I don't have to!!! YAY!!!

He said I just gotta take it a little bit more easier and to not push myself too much and to wear arches.  

I am so relieved. :) I still have to take it easy the next few days, which kinda bums me out cause I got the jog for hope this Sunday which I am quite excited for. I will do that slowly, with my arches!

I was so scared in going to the doctor in fear of finding out that it is something extreme and I would have to give up running, but I am happy now that I know what it is and it is treatable.

Frustration!

Today was another down day. My body just seems to not want me to run. I started off fine, hyped because I rested my feet yesterday an I wanted to run today, but the minute I started running today the shin pains kicked in followed by my stupid ankle pains. I haven't had this ankle pain in a long time, but today was the day it decided it wanted to return!

It could be because I have been slacking on my ankle strengthening exercises. I have to remind myself to keep doing it, along with the exercises to prevent shin splints. These are a must do! I need to strengthen my feet! I feel so frustrated with all these leg pains! All I want to do is run!

Today I did not hit my 5km under one hour lap time once again, so I did 6.4km. I did however do a personal best on the 6km marker at 1hr 14mins. Slightly better than Tuesdays work out. But I still feel quite disappointed in myself and extremely frustrated with my ankle. I just could not run. Argh!!! And now after the work out, it decides to be a complete bitch. 

I know, I know, these things take time. You can't push yourself to the extreme to a point where you ignore signs of pain and keep going (which I was wrongly doing today). It's your body's way of telling you to ease up. 

The doctor appointment that was supposed to be yesterday did not happen. Some complications and it had to be moved. I am thinking of just taking things into my own hands and not relying on my mother to get me an appointment. I need to know what I can do about this ankle. I don't want to have to give up what I am doing. 

Anyway, hopefully I will do better tomorrow. I shall do my feet exercises today. I'm glad however that I did the workout and I did the 6km. I find the below quote very motivating :

My ankle is being scary painful. I need to see a doctor.