Doctor Heal Thyself

So.... I'm ready, hit me with the "I told you so's."

I went to the Podiatrist today.  After much research, different methods, stretches, socks, frozen lacrosse balls, shoes, rest, conversations with really smart people, and prayers, my feet didn't fix themselves, so off to the doctor I went.  He sat down, talked to me for 2 minutes, asked me about activity level, work requirements, etc, and then halted abruptly saying, "You must be kidding me... you're a healthcare provider and a triathlete?  You are my worst nightmare..."  We then chatted some more about my hopes and dreams, he took some x-rays and there they were.  A well callused and healed right first metatarsal fracture (thank you sophomore year flip turn gone wrong) and a much more recent, but healed Navicular fracture (guess I did more than fracture my proximal fibula back in January after all).  More applicable to my current situation however are the very very small bone spurs that are just starting to form, what does this mean?  Symptomatic treatment, arch supports and perhaps eventually orthotics should be all I need to make my feet stop hurting.  Also he told me to stop walking around in flip flops and barefoot- shit.   So I am currently behaving myself, but am going to have to put some research into flip-flops with arch support, any suggestions welcomed!  He did steroid injections and scheduled me for follow up in a few weeks.  In the meantime, following instructions, icing, stretching and anti-inflammatories.  We'll see how it goes.

Many many smart people told me that orthotics were probably my next step, but my hard head didn't hear it.  I think that my ego finally had to just give in.  I'll let you know in a week or so how my feet are feeling during runs and especially in the morning when I wake up.  I think this is the curse of being in healthcare.  We know what the answer is, or in general at least one solution to the problem, and our egos get in the way.  We either ignore it, or we only participate in half the solution, or just put it off saying, "I'll do it next week."  Doctor heal thyself... yes indeed, but be smart enough to ask for help- its only a co-pay away.  Lesson learned... this time... :)