Any podiatrists about?

[Whitney168]

I have an ongoing issue with one foot that comes and goes, but is giving me hell at the moment. I get intense pain across the outer top of my foot/to side of the ankle on starting to walk. Sometimes, but not always, the bones of my ankle seem to need to click in to place.

This will all probably last 20 paces or so. Once it's settled/stretched or whatever it does, I walk perfectly normally with no pain at all. I have dogs, so walk a lot, and once I'm past the pain I have no issues. If I get any ongoing pain, it will be when I'm resting, not when I'm standing/walking and feels 'burny'.

I have seen a doctor - they told me it's probably just arthritis and to live with it. Don't think this is the case from the symptoms above?

Seen an osteopath, who I think thought I was imagining and was clueless. He did some faffing and manipulation, and a day or so after it felt like I had acid in the joints and seemed to improve for a while, but no diagnosis.

Any ideas (beyond that it's probably arthritis/I'm imagining it LOL)? Should I see a podiatrist and do I need to be referred? Should I just try an osteo more regularly - except that in its current phase, it doesn't really feel bone related.

Any tips/thoughts gratefully received.

Podiatrist here-

I'm going to be no help to you because its a Biomechanics problem and my speciality is wound care and diabetes.

If you do look for a Podiatrist will it be Private or NHS?
All NHS Pods are HCP registered (used to be State Registered) but the eligibility criteria is limited.
If you look for Private care make sure they are HCP registered (its a degree course or they might be a Post Grad Masters)
You need someone who does Biomechanics and can assess your joints and gait with a view to excercise and possible orthotics/insoles.

Some might do steroid injections if they've taken this as a course , I know some Physiotherapists do.
Good Luck

Ooh perfect timing. I've chime on to look for a podiatrist! @70isaLimitNotaTarget you're just the person.
I know I have bad feet - I always struggle with shoes hurting (bad knees, bad Hips too) but recently they're even more achy than usual. I've got fallen arches and am trying to up the amount of exercise I do. But my feet just hurt. Particularly around my heel onto the inner side of the arch. Could going to see a podiatrist help?

Sorry OP for hijacking your post. I can't help with your feet, but I do know what is like to have feet that hurt.

Ive had similar problems to both of you. GP referred me to Orthopaedics, where I had an x-ray but they found nothing wrong, so they referred me to Podiatry, where I saw a Podiatric Surgeon, who referred me to Orthotics. All this took about 6m. Orthotics gave me orthotics. First pair were off-the-shelf. Didn't really help. When I was reviewed 4m later I had impressions taken of my feet and custom orthotics made. Oh my. What a difference. Took about 2m for my pain to go completely.

@JellySlice would you recommend being referred via a gp then? I've just looked and an initial consultation is £45.

Depends whether you feel you can wait to be seen Also appointment may be £45, but investigations add cost and the orthotics will be extra, too.