Managed to see Dr. Arush K. Angriasa with the SW Orthopaedic Group. I figured a podiatrist would be the right person to see. I don’t know him from Adam, but searching around seemed to have a lot of positive review and comment and seems to be well-regarded. So why not.

Exactly what my problem is, hard to say at this time. But based upon the examination it’s one (or more) of three things:

1. some ligaments on the outside of my ankle are highly inflamed and could even be calcify.

2. there are some tendons that run down the back of the calf under the ankle, which could be in play.

3. I may have lost some cartilage between the end of my fibula and top of my foot. Can happen with martial arts, due to all the impact of kicking.

Please don’t quiz me on this… I could be getting some details wrong, but basically it’s some soft tissue problems. Massive swelling.  And yes, it’s probably my old injury coming back to haunt me.

For now, I have to wear one of those “boots” to restrict my movement. I’ll be getting an MRI done to see what it looks like, and based upon that, we’ll see where to go.

I asked about lifting. I can’t do anything lower body. Not even stupid leg extensions and curls. Nothing. Ugh. I even know some upper body work shouldn’t happen, like pressing (since that’s done standing). But I might modify it to use dumbbells and sit down, or try the smith machine or something. Ugh. I really don’t know yet what I’ll do and how I’ll modify things, but it’s safe to say I’m somewhat on the shelf for a bit. I will figure something out so I can at least do SOMETHING.

Really, now would be the time I’d do something like Smolov Jr and see about kicking my bench press into high gear. But with the diet focus, that won’t happen. It is enough to make me want to come off the diet. 😉