How it all began

April 17, 2014:

Went on a 3 mile run with my Dad and then danced around the kitchen to "Happy" while cleaning the dishes. We are two peas in a pod! 

And so it begins. Just a few short hours after posting this on Facebook, my right ankle became painful and started swelling. The next morning, I was seen at the Hilton Head Hospital and after X-rays, they determined I had fractured my ankle. It was strange because the location of the fracture was not where I had the most pain but I'm no stranger to ankle issues so I went with it. The gave me a splint/soft cast and crutches and sent me on my way. 

April 19, 2014:

I was traveling without my Hubby or kids that week so the flight home was quite an experience. The United Airways team took great care of me, wheeling me straight to the bar for a pre-flight glass of wine, and then getting me comfortably boarded on the plane. It was a better flying experience (service-wise) than most. Note to self. Rent crutches for future flights.

April 21, 2014: (Facebook post)

I am thrilled! I still have to get an MRI to find out why my ankle is inflamed (ligament/joint) but I just got cleared by Dr Aguiar (ortho.) to go without a cast or crutches because my ankle is NOT broken!!
He said that the ER misread my x-ray and treated me for my old fracture!! HELLO!?!? How annoying is that??!! I had a feeling something was "off" since I didn't actually do anything to injure it...I'm so glad I'm not as fragile as it made me feel and that I actually CAN dance in the kitchen without hurting myself!
See you soon Studio Pink Fit!!

And so life went on. My ankle was still in pain and swelling in the afternoons but it was far better than the week prior. I wanted to get back to my workouts but decided to stay off of it until I got my MRI results back. Looking back, it was a smart decision.

May 1, 2014: (Facebook post)

I got my MRI results back and my diagnosis is, "your ankle is all screwed up." Yes, the doctor actually said that!
I have a torn anterior talofibular ligament. I also have scarring of the deltoid ligament, a large bone spur and "deformity" (bad healing from a break) of the lateral malleolus and a bunch of stray bones, fluid and other crappy things floating around. All of this is a result of prior injuries and ankle instability. The flare up was likely caused by running on the beach (or any unstable ground) and could happen at any time (as I have dealt with for the last few years.)  So although my swelling is down and I am walking just fine now, my only long term solution is surgery. And I get to choose when...so I'm thinking never. But he told me if I don't fix the ligament and clean out the ankle, I will positively have arthritis and continuous problems with ankle instability/pain/swelling down the road.
Not cool.

Ugh! I should have listened to my mom all those times that begged me to take better care of my breaks and sprains. It seems I usually have to learn things the hard way. Thankfully my doctor was very accommodating and was able to schedule me for surgery within the week. This is a slower time of the year for work and I wanted to ensure that I get my cast off before our annual OBX trip.

I scheduled surgery for May 7th with Dr. Lutta. He performed three procedures: modified brostrom (repair the ATFL tear), removal of ossification (bone spurring on lateral malleolus), and arthroscopy to remove chronic synovitis.