Decision for surgery
After receiving the MRI results from January 9, 2026, I stopped running completely. The pain, instability, and uncertainty made it difficult to continue, and I was anxious while waiting for my appointment with the orthopedic surgeon.
When I finally met with him in February 2026, he took the time to understand my lifestyle and the physical demands of my daily routine. He reviewed both MRI scans in detail and explained what had been happening inside my ankle since the injury.
My first MRI from December 2024 showed:
High‑grade partial‑thickness tear of the anterior talofibular ligament
High‑grade tear of the calcaneofibular ligament at the insertion
Mild peroneal tendinosis and tenosynovitis
Partial‑thickness tear of the deep fibers of the deltoid ligament
Small bone marrow contusions in the talar neck and medial malleolus
Small ankle joint effusion
Low‑grade sprain of the Lisfranc ligament
At the time, I was told physical therapy would be enough, but the treatment plan didn’t match the level of activity in my daily life, especially with running and working as a bedside nurse.
The second MRI from January 9, 2026 showed further progression:
Essentially full‑thickness tears of both the deep deltoid ligament and the anterior talofibular ligament
Attenuation of the superficial deltoid ligament
Poor scar remodeling of the calcaneofibular ligament
No acute bone injury and no cartilage defects
These findings explained the ongoing pain, instability, and bruising I had been experiencing for over a year.
After reviewing everything, my surgeon recommended surgery as the most appropriate option. The combination of multiple ligament tears, poor healing, and continued symptoms made conservative treatment unlikely to succeed, especially given my activity level.
This appointment marked the point where the plan shifted from managing symptoms to moving forward with a long‑term solution.
