I had surgery on my ankle on Feb. 7, 2011 (removal of two bone spurs plus repairs to some cartilege damage that my surgeon found while he was in there-- eventually I'll go back and post details, but today is not that day). I've just realized: that was five months ago today. Five months! Shouldn't it be totally healed by now?! I was on crutches, completely non-weight-bearing for 6 weeks, then went to PT for another 6 weeks. Jump ahead to last weekend, and I was able to walk 7+ miles. This is good progress, I know. But the ankle still gets sore randomly (like tonight-- major limping due to a sharp pain, no idea why) and is stiff for the first few steps after resting/sitting, until it gets loosened up.
My surgeon says this is not uncommon with ankle surgeries. "Ankles just always take longer to heal than it seems they should," he says. So far, my progress is looking good. I've put running out of my head until next year (if it ever becomes possible again at all-depending on the success of that cartilege repair technique), but I did ask when he thought running might become possible again. Maybe this fall he says. Interesting. I'll just keep the "after Jan 1" date in my head to keep my sanity. No pushing this particular envelope.
Besides, I suppose there will be no running until there is no more pain, and pain-free I am not. Ah well. I will do my best to remain patient, because really, what other choice do I have?
