I can’t recommend enough to call around until you find a PT practice that does computerized Gait Analysis. The PT puts what looks like a gel orthotic with an ankle attachment in each shoe and has you walk while they view what’s happening on the laptop screen. The graphs that come up in “real time” show where you are putting pressure on each part of the soles of your feet as you walk (now able to compare the affected and unaffected leg).
With me- I have (R) lower leg neuropathy with weakness, numbness and tingling. The graphs showed that I was getting very little “push-off”” from my toes and the ball of my foot as I stepped through each step. The PT made a metal rocker and embedded it in the shoe, so now I get a mechanical push off, rather than landing flat. The graphs also showed that I was tending to walk on the outer edge of my foot (my sole has very little feeling), so he added built-up to the inside of my shoe so my ankle is positioned in much better alignment, which has caused my knee to be in better alignment, which has led to markedly diminished knee pain from just being up and about. He did recommend I shorten my walk (used to do 3-4 miles/day) and keep it to around the block twice, paying attention to good form (with the affected leg- concentrating on exaggerated heel strike and active push-off, shortened step length). It’s made such a difference!!
The left shoe sole was built up so the shoes are the same height. You can’t tell they are adaptive shoes- the PT recommended lace-ups, I bought Brooks sneakers as they have a mesh top to accommodate comfortably the hammertoes I’m now getting on the affected foot due to the imbalance of muscle tone, due to the neuropathy (the gift that keeps on giving!). I bought two pairs at Dick’s Sporting Goods, so I could be sure to always have a pair to wear.
I understand John recommending a podiatrist but I would strongly vote for a PT practise for the computerized gait analysis- not just someone watching from behind as you walk, but actual data to address the specific problems that can be addressed with specific adaptions. If none of the PTs do the shoes themselves, they will know someone who does and will give them specific instructions, then have you return for PT follow-up to see if the adaptions need to be adjusted.
Good luck and don’t be discouraged if takes a lot of calls. I drove two hours each way four times to get these shoes and they have made an incredible difference in my life- I can enjoy walking again, my knee doesn’t hurt, I’m not being nudged off-balance, I could go on and on!!!