Thanks for reading this. I just have a few guestions.. um i was wondering when your feet started hurting and if it affected u when u were younger. It sounds like u have been through alot so would u reccomend it. Do your feet hurt at all now that u went through with it and anything else would help alot. Thanks alot.

Outdoorsman,

My feet got to the point where it was very difficult and unpleasant to do any outdoor activity -- backpacking, baseball, jogging, etc. Prescription orthotics helped only to a degree (have you researched those yet, btw?). After the top of my right foot formed a very painful spur due to its misshapen nature, I decided to finally have something done about both feet. I'm glad I had the surgery (on both), but obviously that's a very personal decision, and I'd recommend at least two, if not more, medical opinions. I am glad I did it, but I have to tell you it's a pretty long recovery process, due to the extensive bone work involved. I was non-weight-bearing for eight weeks and on crutches for 11 weeks total, each foot. I'm 14 months since my first surgery, and 9 months since the second, and my feet are doing pretty well. I'm back to the gym, jogging, etc., although they still ache a bit after fairly intense exercise. My doc says that's normal --bones can take a pretty long time to completely heal (longer the older you get, I'm guessing, and I'm in my mid-40s). I hope this is helpful. Best of luck to you in whatever decision you make.

Forgot to answer one question: My feet didn't bother me as much when I was younger. They got worse as I got older. The effects of wear and tear, I guess, on already imperfect models.