<p>I have a problem with my feet, so my feet get beat up really easily after playing sports. I can't run for long without getting shin splints, and basically, it hurts a lot. I've been baring it for my whole life, but I recently learned that surgery can possibly fix it by putting implants in my feet. The thing is, each foot takes 3 months to recuperate after the surgery, and I can't do both feet at the same time. That means no sports or any form of running for more than 6 months (I can't do them back to back either, I have to wait after one foot recuperates and then do the next one). I don't really know what to do. I guess if it hurts, the obvious answer is to just go for the surgery, but I had so many plans for this year. I wanted to start playing soccer, and even though I quit the JV tennis team last year (I had a fight with the coach), I was hoping I could play for Varsity. I really don't know what I should do. Do you guys have any advice?</p>
<p>I say go for it – there will likely not be a time for you in the coming decades when you’ll *not *mourn the loss of running/other cardio, and the longer you postpone correction (I imagine, though you never quite said what the problem was) the more your condition will worsen (presumably the problem areas, be they cartilaginous or skeletal or whatever, will only be further worn down with additional use?). Nip the problem while it’s still in the bud (or, in your case, still a sapling). </p>
<p>I hear tennis is terrible on your feet, too, what with the sudden pivoting and changes of direction and the rest, so it sounds like not fixing it now will certainly not help you later on down the road.</p>
<p>Plus, there’s plenty of physical activity you can do for the time being, so that when you’ve recovered you’ll be even further along than otherwise. Perhaps strength training of some sort?</p>
<p>I would have to advise against it. Try some physical therapy before going in for a surgical consultation. Warm soaps or bandages and plenty of rest. I think surgery might be a bit of an extreme. But hey if you and it works I’ll be damned.</p>