Originally Posted by Dragster

Thanks for your words of advice Guy N. Heels, but I AM a realist as far as my condition goes. However, I'm not going to travel carefully through the remaining years of my life, merely to arrive safely at death!

The surgeon who operated on my toes was amazed that I was still running, without pain, on my feet as they were before the operation, but I'd just run the first Great Manchester Run (10k) when I first saw him, and was running about 10/15 miles a week (not excessive). He knew of my ambition to run my first marathon (yes, in my 60s!), but strongly advised me not to, because of the effects of the training needed, and I've taken that advice, but I have started running shorter distances again, and can feel the cardio-vascular benefits. I'll keep that up for as long as I can.

You are right about the medical pre-disposition to hallux valgus, I inherited it from my mother, but the Orthopaedic Appliance Specialist I saw at the same time reckoned my flat feet were the primary cause of my toe joints becoming deformed, and I'm now wearing shoe inserts to reposition my feet correctly.

I'll never be more than a very occasional high heel wearer. I do get a big kick out of walking in 5" heels at home, but because my wife is not supportive of any of my crossdressing activities, that can only be when she is out and I'm not. A rare occurrence! So I will not be walking in them for lengthy periods or long distances. Even if I ever venture out en-femme, I would stand out in anything above 3" heels (I'm almost 6' tall without heels!), and flats are more likely. So, I'll get my kicks whenever I can, and if I feel any pain, or see any obvious problems, I may reconsider my strategy.

Again, thanks to you and all the others for responding.

T