I’ve had arthritic big toes for years. The right one, in particular, has been very painful and I have had to be very careful about what shoes I wear. In the past year or two, the left one has worsened, and the combination was making it very painful to walk with any speed. 

Another negative effect has been compensation. I changed how I walked to stop the pain. This has had a negative effect up the chain to the ankles, knees, and low back. It also caused a weakening of the foot muscles. My already flat feet got weaker. 

I have a couple of theories as to why I developed arthritis, but addressing those theories hasn’t relieved the pain or diminished the gradual worsening of the condition. I have tried orthotics, special shoe designs, acupuncture, massage, chiropractic, diet changes, supplements, and herbs. The combination of these efforts has likely prolonged some functionality and pain relief, but they weren’t enough. I consulted with a podiatrist about 10 years ago and his recommendation was surgery. At the time, that didn’t feel like the right choice as I hadn’t really exhausted all other options. 

I am so grateful that a client shared her experience working with a clinic called Gait Happens. Their brick-and-mortar location is in Lakewood, Colorado; however, their main focus is virtual appointments. They are true experts in lower-body biomechanics. They assess your posture and movement through photographs and videos that are uploaded prior to and during the appointment. You are given a list of exercises to perform daily. The list of exercises are accessible through the TrueCoach App, where you have access to videos on how to properly do the exercises. Proper footwear and specific tools such as Correct Toes are discussed and recommendations are given. 

I had my first appointment in mid-September and second one in early November. I have been diligently doing my exercises and have been thrilled and relieved with how much relief I feel. I still have pain in my big toe joints, but, with the proper footwear, I can walk with minimal to no pain. I am truly amazed how much stronger my feet, calves, hamstrings, glutes and core have become. I started to notice gradual improvement within a few days and it has only gotten better and better with time. 

I know that I can’t make the current level of degeneration in my toes reverse itself, but now I have a way to preserve the function that I do have. Furthermore, the added strength in my body has helped with other musculoskeletal complaints. For anyone with foot issues, such as bunions, plantar fasciitis, heel pain, flat feet, hammertoes, shin splints, knee pain, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, or sesamoiditis, Gait Happens could be a good fit for you. You have to do the work, but take it from me, it is worth it!