u/Future_Security_3489

Hello everyone,
26F here. I’ve had ankle pain for as long as I can remember, starting in childhood, and never really understood what was wrong. Growing up, doctors in my home country would just say it was “because I was growing,” but the pain never went away.
I noticed early on that wearing heels or even flat shoes would trigger pain that could last for weeks. Over time, I learned to stick to sneakers, avoid putting too much pressure on my ankles, and keep them as stable as possible. Cold also makes it worse—if I walk barefoot or my feet get cold, the pain comes back, so I try to keep them warm (even doing hot salt baths sometimes).
As I got older, strengthening my calves (with bodyweight only) helped a bit. I also tend to walk on my toes more, which feels more comfortable. Recently I tried pushing myself by running 5km on my toes, hoping it would help—but it actually made things worse and left me in pain for days.
Only recently did I finally get a clearer idea of what might be going on. I went to an orthopedic doctor here in the U.S., and he immediately suggested surgery. The problem is, I have a small baby, so I really can’t afford to lose mobility for a long recovery period. Right now, as long as I manage it carefully, the pain is somewhat under control—but it’s still there.
After reading posts here, I feel relieved knowing I’m not alone in this.
For those who’ve been in a similar situation:
• Would you go through with the surgery?
• Did it actually help long-term?
• What was the recovery like (especially with daily responsibilities or kids)?
I also can’t help but feel a bit skeptical—like doctors may push surgery too quickly. I’d really appreciate hearing real experiences before making such a big decision.
Thank you so much in advance.