Health - A miracle cure for my knee and ankle pain for just £125.25

 Two years ago, I went to Crete for my nephew's wedding. A life changing incident happened. I was walking to the reception and I went over on my ankle. It was excruciatingly painful. I have done this before, but this time it didn't heal. I went to the hospital when I got back for an x-ray. This revealed nothing. I saw my physio, various exercises were given, ankle supports bought, but this did nothing more than mitigate the issue and reduce the pain. Last March, my physio told me to stop playing football until it cleared up, saying that the football was most likely irriating it. Despite not playing since, the pain continued. I walk around five miles a day. When I don't walk it doesn't hurt, but not exercising is not an option. My knees, ravaaged from 50 years of football have also been painful. I have to be honest and say I was starting to feel very down about the situation. When I try and walk, I walk like an old man, shuffling along slowly, dragging my feet.

I have to be honest, I was starting to despair. I have never been a sedentary person, but if it is painful to walk more than a few staeps, sooner or later it grinds you down. All this from what should have been a minor injury two years ago. A couple of weeks ago, I recalled that in around 2008, I was having problems with my knees. I went to see a physio called Ryan McDermott, who worked in the gym I used. Ryan was formerly the physio for Sale Rugby League club and Manchester City. I explained the issue and told him that I did not want to stop playing football. He analysed my gait and told me that the knee pain was due to the fact that the gait of my foot needed correction. He got me some shoe insoles and as if by magic, the knee problems disappeared. 

I wore insoles for about twelve years. The knees were fine. With lockdown etc, we stopped playing football and I forgot about the insoles. I had been getting custom made ones from Runners Needs, along with cushioned air soled running shoes. As my knees had once again become painful, I thought "maybe I should get some new trainers and insoles". I had arranged to meet a mate for beer and curry at the Barbican yesterday. There was a Runners Needs at Monument, so I thought I could nip in there first. I went in and to my horror, I was informed that they no longer make insoles, because it is " a medical issue". I found this to be completely bizarre. If you are selling running shoes, surely you should sell the insoles that make them as comfortable and stable as possible? The young lad serving was pleasant, it was not his fault. He informed me that there was a branch of hiking specialists Ellis Brigham at New Change shopping centre, next to St Pauls that still did insoles. I bought my new trainers and walked up. I was surprise, the new trainers were far more comfortable than the old pair. I realised that these were completely worn out and had been contributing to the problem. Although there was still pain, it was far less pronounced, as the new trainers had far more support.

I got to the shop and explained what I require. A helpful assistant went through the process of making the insoles. it took around 30 minutes in total. I was charged £55 that was a real bargain. I put the new insoles in and walked to the pub, around 0.5 km from the shop. I couldn't believe it. I had absolutely no ankle or knee pain at all. When I got to the pub, I told my friend and explained just how wonderful it was to be walking pain free and unimpeded. I had expected a marked improvement, what I got was a miracle cure. Much to my wife's irritation, I said that it might even mean I can play football again, something that she thinks is ridiculous.

I am quite frustrated with myself that I've had two years of pain, and for £125.50 there was a simple solution. I wonder how many of us are suffering, when such quick fixes are available. To celebrate, I am going to take the dog for a nice long walk around Darlands!

And to Foot Locker. I think you are doing a poor job for your customers.