Hey all, My first post here. I've been meaning to join here for awhile just never got around to it. A little about myself. I have my 2nd degree black belt in the art of Shotokan Karate. I've studied since I was a kid around 9... so over a decade of study. I am having various pains seem like they are hitting me out of nowhere and they are really affecting my life in general, especially karate. I'm only 27 and in good shape. I'll start with the biggest concern is my inability to kick high when just a few years ago I had no problem throwing clean round houses to opponent's heads! Now I can still do it on my right leg but it is hampered because I get a pain/tightness in my hip area that slows me down. The left side (which I am left handed) for some reason I cannot get high at all. It looks absolutely pathetic. When I try to kick high on my left side there is a really strong, sharp pain in my hip area. Another thing is I have to get foot surgery next week because of a bad toe joint that hurts when I simply walk. Now imagine doing kata or trying to spar. It is beyond frustrating. Lastly, I believe I have a torn muscle in my knee from years of ju-jitsu because I cannot cross my legs, sit with knees folded, or hold any kind of squatted position for very long without my knees building up tremendous pressure, pain and feeling like they are on fire. I'm really at a loss here because I've been 2nd degree for so many years and want continue on learning... I also want to do tournaments again, but these aforementioned injuries are simply stopping me. What is the best way to tackle this? Periods of rest and stretching seem to do nothing.
