"Unhealed: The Painful Saga of a Swollen Ankle"
After rolling her ankle, Catherine Matacic suffered from increasingly severe ankle pain for eight years, seeking treatment from multiple doctors and physical therapists without success. In January 2023, a rheumatologist diagnosed her with psoriatic arthritis, a chronic autoimmune disease, after suspecting it due to her age, activity level, and MRI results. Despite initial skepticism, genetic testing confirmed the diagnosis, and medication has significantly improved her ability to walk without pain. Matacic wishes she had taken her pain more seriously and consulted doctors sooner, emphasizing the importance of respecting injuries.