Peyton Willie
My name is Peyton Willie. I am a red shirt Sophomore on the Women’s soccer team at the University of Illinois. I was recently diagnosed with Bilateral Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome and just went through the surgery to fix it. All (4) compartments (anterior, lateral, deep posterior, superficial posterior) in both of my legs were affected and needed to be released. Unfortunately, my story took a slight detour before my recent diagnosis and surgery. I have been playing soccer since I was 5 years old. Up to this point, as a Freshman in college, I had never missed a game due to an injury. I played pain free for well over 14 years.
Freshman year, everything was business as usual. I was playing and practicing with zero pain. During my Spring season (2019), I started to experience severe pain in both of my legs in my shins and my feet. The pain was so severe, I was forced to stop all activity. I was diagnosed with shin splints. Even after months of rest, the pain did not go away or get any better. Since my sophomore Fall season was coming up, I needed resolution. After meeting with a surgeon, he explained to me that I in fact, did NOT have shin splints. I was diagnosed with planter fasciitis in both of my feet and surgery was scheduled. My coach and I decided to red shirt as a sophomore so that I could get the necessary surgeries and complete the rehab process and be ready and back on the field for my Junior year. I had my first surgery on my right foot in October of 2019. The surgery on my left foot, soon followed in November. I completed all the necessary physical therapy protocols on both feet and returned to play shortly after that. It was now January of 2020. Within the first week of progressing back into physical activity, I realized that the pain was back and as intense as before. I returned to my surgeon and he recommended a Gastrocnemius Release in both of my calves, to completely relieve the planter fasciitis that I was previously diagnosed with. I wanted to get back on that soccer field as soon as possible so I scheduled the surgery. I had the ‘Gastroc’ Release surgery on my left calf in February. Then, COVID hit, and all ‘elective’ surgeries were put on hold. This pushed the ‘Gastroc’ Release surgery on my right calf back to May of 2020.
After these (4) surgeries and months and months of rehab and physical therapy, I was finally cleared to practice and play again with my team. I could not wait! I slowly progressed into the team fitness and training sessions. I had a little bit of pain and discomfort, but I knew that this was just part of the lengthy recovery process. I had to be tough, both physically and mentally if I wanted to get back on that field. Of course, there would be pain after (4) surgeries. After trying to push through this all too familiar pain, I realized that something just was not right. I was once again experiencing severe shin and calf pain in both of my legs. It was now January of 2021 and with each step I took, it felt like my calf muscles were going to explode. What could this be? I just went through 4 surgeries and yet I was still in pain. My junior season was supposed to be my ‘come back’. I went back to see my surgeon, to see if this pain was simply a post-op complication and if so, what could be done. I was told at this appointment that maybe it was time to ‘hang up my cleats’ and stop playing. My surgeon had no idea what was wrong. I was so angry when I left that appointment. I was not ready to stop playing a sport that I love and how dare he suggest otherwise.
Now it was time to research. I had to see if anyone else had similar symptoms. Stronger Scars was the first website/social media platform I turned to, to figure out if there were any other athletes out there who were going through similar issues. After weeks of research, I diagnosed myself with Compartment Syndrome. This had to be it, I just knew it. I found a specialist that works with collegiate athletes and Compartment Syndrome. To make sure it was truly Compartment Syndrome, he wanted to rule out everything else. I had more X-rays, more MRIs, blood tests, a bone scan, and an EMG. After all of those came back normal, it was time for the Compartment Syndrome Test. Early on during the excruciating CECS Test, it was quite obvious to the CECS specialist that I, in fact, had Compartment Syndrome. This meant two things. One, I would need another surgery and two, MY DIAGNOSIS was correct. There was a solution to my pain. I would not be hanging up my cleats any time soon.
During this entire process, I was not able to help my Illini team on the field, so I did everything I could to stay engaged and involved off the field. I went to every practice with a smile on my face and positivity in my soul. This journey is finally coming to an end and I see the finish line. I will continue to push myself day in and day out, with the help of my family and my Illini teammates. Just this week on April 20th I had the Compartment Syndrome Release surgery. I am currently at home recovering. I now have (6) beautiful scars on each leg that will forever remind me that I am tough and that I am strong. I have overcome obstacles that were in my way of playing a sport that I love. The definition of a warrior is ‘a brave or experienced soldier or fighter’. My journey has made me realize that I AM A WARRIOR.
