Hello to all..I stumbled on to you while researching problems with my left foot and leg...Ok, here is how Im going to start.. I am former military, recently discharged due to an injury that wont heal, I was discharged because I was diagnosed with a fractured tibia and fibula(says the Major who heads the medical section), So after service to my country I was let go, I spent 4 months resting and staying off my leg, I decided that it was time to start training for a career in law enforcement, I did just that and now I have serious pain in my achillies and lower leg again, I can run 2 to 4 miles a day but right after and through the night I cannot walk, I saw a foot doctor(rothman institute in voorhees nj) and he gave me exercises to stretch the achillies, that did not work and i have not been able to go back because i do not have health care at this time, I have a real small arch so I bought a real expesive pair of saucony running shoes and it has not helped, the shoes do not work and the stretches do not either, I was told three days ago that I was born with Metatarses Varus(my mom forgot to tell me that) and I had an unusual growth spurt from 8th grade to 9th grade, I am 30 years old and could poor corrective surgery as an infant and oversights have caused irreversible damage?..I cannot go on with this pain, its ruining my life and nobody seems to know how to fix me. Can somebody email me at astropoet11bcmd@aol.com....your help is greatly appreciated.

??Discharge because of a fracture?? Was it a non-union fracture? If you need arch sapport, running shoes alone do not have enough arch sapport. You would need to add an off the shelf insert like spenco, superfoot or Lynco.

You should have some VA coverage for a medical discharge.

Have you tried non-impact activities like precor or bicycling?

Dear Chris
I would recommend that you try going to a VA hospital in New Jersey and speak with a social worker, he/she will be able to steer you in the right direction and iron out your insurance problems. Its difficult to really tell what's going on in your particular case. Your problem may be achilles tendonitis or it may be more complicated relating to your past injury. You will definately need to follow-up with a podiatrist and/or orthopedic surgeon. However, first things first see someone at the VA for assistance.

Good-luck and thank-you for contacting foot.com,
SBarlizo, DPM, C Ped
foot.com expert