I've known for a good while that my right foot is permanently damaged. Podiatrist 1 pushed my big toe one way, then the other, and based on this alone diagnosed arthritis and sent me on my way. Podiatrist 2 prescribed special insoles to lift my fallen arches. Podiatrist 3 had me get an xray. She showed me the xray. Even a non-medical person such as I can see what the problem is. My big toe joint is a mess. Carnage. So much so that joint replacement was discussed. An MRI is being organised first to see if there is also tendon and ligament damage to be treated. Besides all that, I'm getting some new custom made insoles to try to redistribute forces away from the destroyed joint. While waiting for all this to happen, I decided to do a bit of diy. Half an hour later I have modified my boots using carefully cut bits of old carpet off cuts and my now inadequate original prescription insoles. An initial test stroll enabled me to walk normally without pain for the first time in ages. The original prescription insoles go under my carpet diy insoles. Then I have a bit cut away so that the tip of my big toe hangs over the end of the carpet insole. This means I can raise my heel a bit further before pressure goes onto the bad toes joint. Pretty much what podiatrist 3 is trying to achieve with a more precision solution.
