The Challenges

After the fall in June 2024, I didn’t go to the doctor right away. I assumed it was a sprain and decided to treat it myself. I braced my left ankle, managed the swelling, and continued with my normal routine. I didn’t take time off from work, and no one noticed that I was limping. I also didn’t stop running, which was a mistake. Like many runners, I pushed through the pain and kept going.

By December 2024, the pain hadn’t improved, so I finally had my first MRI. The results showed one full ligament tear and one partial tear. Even with that information, I continued running, but the pain kept returning. I reduced my mileage, but the discomfort never fully went away.

During this time, I was still working full‑time as a bedside nurse, which meant long hours on my feet. Some days, I ended up with bruising on the inside of my left ankle without knowing what caused it. There was a constant, nagging pain along the inner side of my ankle that never fully settled.

My doctor at the time recommended physical therapy and told me I should be fine. But the advice didn’t match my lifestyle. I run regularly, and running is part of my daily routine. The treatment plan didn’t consider that.

By December 2025, the pain and instability were still affecting me, so I changed doctors. The new doctor ordered another MRI on January 9, 2026. This scan showed two major, extensive tears — one on the inner ankle and one on the lateral side — which explained the ongoing pain and bruising.

I had to wait until my appointment in February 2026 to hear what the doctor recommended next.