I sprained my foot 4 years ago and it hasn’t improved at all. What should I do?

On Friday January 22nd, 2015, I sprained my right foot on the stairs. I continued to walk on it until Sunday the 24th when I was in extreme pain, it was swollen, black and red and I was unable to bear weight on it. I got an x-ray from an urgent care clinic that said that I had a sprain in my right mid foot. I used the RICE method and crutches for a week and a half. I was told that I should be able to resume normal activity in one week. After a week and a half, I continued to have pain.

At the time, I did ballet a few times a week and pointe for maybe 30 minutes. After the injury, I went back to doing ballet but only for a few months. I have not returned to dance.

Ever since April 2015, I’ve suffered from severe, chronic, unrelenting foot pain, which has had a detrimental impact on my life. The pain is so severe that it impedes my ability to complete everyday actions (such as household chores, errands, meeting up with friends). To this day, my right foot is weak and I’m unable to point it or balance on it like I'm able to do on the left foot.

I've been exercising my foot consistently, as directed by the physical therapists since June 2016. I also ice and elevate it.

I’ve seen countless doctors, specialists and a number of different physical therapists. I’ve attended several 6-10 appointment sessions of physical therapy, worn sneakers for months, and only wear specialized shoes that are equipped with arch supports.

A 2016 MRI without contrast revealed that I had tendinitis, which my physical therapist said was “chronic and would never really go away.” Last week, an MRI with contrast revealed that I have "tenosynovitis, sprain anterior talofibular ligament & sprain ligaments sprain deep fibers." This comes as a shock to me because after the injury, the x-ray said it was a midfoot sprain and the previous MRI said it was only tendonitis.

I am in debilitating pain.

What should I do?

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