h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Finally I got to see a specialist at the Podiatry Musculoskeletal clinic (aka the funny walks place, the gait clinic). A brief check through the referral letter from the physio and check on this sort of medical history from me then it was down to business.
Walk to the end of teh room and back a couple of times. Now get changed into shorts and do it again barefoot. Then it was a physical check to see how my joints moved and which muscles were affected.
Then I was told about what she had could tell from all this. My feet, ankles, knees and hips aren't quite as aligned as they should be, one leg is shorter than the other and that most of the problem is with the lower leg.
To try and sole the problem I'm going to get some custom made insoles - an impression of my foot was made in a box filled with expanding foam that crushed down when I carefully stood into it. This was a much easier experience than twenty years ago when they took a cast using plaster bandages of my foot! Till they custom ones are made I've been given some off the shelf orthotic insoles to get my body used to using this sort of insole.
I did find one of the insoles I'd had made previously and the podiatrist asked if I could remember who I had seen all those yeas ago, no chance but it turns out that one of the possible people who did it all still works there. The podiatrist also knew the consultant who was my specialist as a child, Mr Weeble who helped me and a lot of other people to not fall down

My elder son(Is mise Duncan) has been wearing prescribed insoles for a couple of months now (even in his footie boots) They seem to have taken the pain away from his knee. I do hope yours are equally successful - tho' I realise your condition is more serious

From trying to remember what happened 20 years ago, I think they should help - once I've got used to them.
I wonder if they will frame the 20 year old insole as a historic object. Thinking about it it will be interesting to see what changes there have been since then, both in me and in the insoles.

Good to hear that Duncan is getting good results from his

Finally I get the insoles They do feel different and it will take a little time to get used to them. I go back in a month to check they're all ok and for the podiatrist to look into another problem she identified - one leg is shorter than the other.

What is it with podiatrists? Last time I went for an annual check-up she couldn't find a pulse in my left leg & I ended up having angioplasty I dread to think what she'll find this year.

My retinopathy came back clear tho'

Now I'm on raises along with the insoles. So far a 3mm raise on the heel of the left insole. I've got another 1.5mm raise to put on in a couple of weeks time then will be checked again at the beginning of feb.
I was warned that the raise may cause some problems. Not so far thank goodness. Lets see how it all goes and if it makes me walk a little straighter in the end.

Theakston's Old Peculiar always does it for me

Too much of that and I ain't walking in straight lines!

That's the fundamental problem, I can't walk in a straight line stone cold sober

I'm now discharged from that clinic - untill I need them again.
The Podiatrist has decided to compromise on raising the left heel by 6mm. I was told I probably could in further but then I'd run into problems fitting both the insole and my foot in the shoe.

Eventually I got to the point I wanted, being seen by someone who could help. Shame about the hassle in getting there.

, I've got my annual review & check-up in a couple of weeks time, let's just see what they find wrong this time .

BTW it's just struck me, you're wearing inserts!! Now I'll never reach to give you a good old We definitely need a smiley for that.