Wanna come to my pity party?

Please take this for what it is.  My situation is quite diferent from yours.  I was born pigeon toed with club feet. Both ankles were broken and reset and an achilles release was done to each (this when I was 6 months old).  Since I was 11 yo I have had tremendous arthritis in both ankles.  I can't ski, and I have never been able to run without pain.  Well it turns out I can run (uncomfortably) as long as I am not stopping and starting (i.e. sports).  I have no flexability and due to the bone malformations, never will.  I often sprain my ankle just walking around my house.  Especially when I have over done it and my ankles are tired.

I was told early on that my issues will just get worse.  I was told that I will never be comfortable running or even walking long distances (I can't walk a golf course.)

I decided that I am probably going to be limping around or using a wheel chair at some point in my life.  Heck maybe I'll even need an ankle replacement (assuming technology gets to the point where it is viable).  I'd rather enjoy life now while I can do those activities and deal with the consequences later than sit in my room and mope.

First, really sorry to hear about your problems.  Any kind of health set-back is a total downer, so your frustration is understandable.

Not that it's a fun crowd to be in, but I know a lot of adult athletes that battle stuff like this.  You can't fix a congenital anomaly, but you can find ways to adapt around it, to the best of your ability.  I have bilateral stress fractures in my L5 that will (probably) never heal, and multidirectional instability in both shoulders really bad.  It gets really easy to be like, "why do *I* have to train with these problems!" 

You're doing a good job staying on top of everything, just keep it up.  I hope you're feeling better soon. 

"was told to wear orthodics. Um, no."  Sweet I like that attitude.  Did you have an injury that cause the "bad knees".  I was duck foot when I was a kid.  Taught myself to walk straight.  I guess I would find another ortho guy for a second opinion. 

Last thing my ortho told after after my knee scope is not to take up any new sports.  3 months later I signed up for my first triathlon. Oh this is coming from a PT as you can i don't really listen to medical advice.  Run for this year 480 miles.  Oops.  

Disclaimer:  Please don't follow this advice.  See a second ortho guy and a PT to help you torwards your GOALS.  

 You know what's stronger than knees and ankles and backs and shoulders and...etc etc......? The human spirit!.......and knowing that you have inspired..(at least one for sure) other people. Thank you... and keep being that "two thumbs up" person!

x3 on the orthotics and finding an athlete-friendly physician.  I have SLE and once had a rheumatologist tell me that I could not weight train, nor could I do any exercise other than walking and range of motion exercises.  Thank God she retired so I could get a new one who trusts me enough to know my own limits.  (Okay, not that I listened to the first one much)

One nice thing about these kinds of things is that success IS sweeter, but also unsuccessful attempts at races and such--aren't so bitter   Good luck and best wishes to you.