Hi, Judy (@dance4life)

Orthotics are expensive! I've been wearing them for years. I got my first pair when not many people had heard of orthotics. I've been a runner all of my life (that came to an end only a dozen years ago when I had a knee replacement). For the most part, considering how flat my feet are and how badly I pronate, the orthotics gave me good service. You're right, though: the price has skyrocketed. Fortunately, I've a wonderful podiatric surgeon (also a long-distance runner) whose able to take my several "old" orthotics and simply refurbish them, so the cost to me is nothing like what it would be if I had to buy a new pair. The refurbished pair I picked up yesterday cost $40, and they feel great. I've often heard––and see the truth in––that long-time wearing of orthotics only weakens your natural foot; after years of daily orthotics use it's practically impossible to go about barefoot and feel comfortable. I know there's truth in that. For the longest time, I worked with a Feldenkrais instructor (are you familiar with Feldenkrais, or perhaps the Alexander Technique?) in an attempt to restore my feet to a more natural conformation. I had only limited success.

I understand too what you say about gel injections. Fortunately, here too I've a wonderful orthopedic surgeon, who is very conservative when it comes to injections. I trust he'll never advise I get an injection unless I've not had one in a long, long while, and he recognizes that an injection will help (and, generally speaking, they do), forestalling the day when I'll need a second knee replacement.

Me too: I am––or will––be keeping a watchful eye on stem cell replacement. From all I've read (which is not that much), there's great promise in this new therapeutic approach. I'm hoping we'll soon hear lots more about clinical test success and that CDC and FDA approval will soon follow.

Cheers!
Ray (@ray666)