Inability to stand comfortably

[Hobbit]

Since I was young I have had very flat feet and remember having electrodes attached to them at the hospital back in the 60s. No idea what the strange electrical sensations were supposed to do.
I am now 49 (female) and have suffered for the last few years with increasing bouts of toe cramping esp. in the right foot and now plantar fasciitis in both feet.
I have been referred for physiotherapy at the local hospital, although my GP hoped that orthopedics would take me on given the strange design of my right foot.
Foot has the four smaller toes "crouching" on top of the foot ie they do not touch the ground when I am standing up, but sort of "hook" from the exaggerated ball of the foot. The little toe is a long way down the foot and at one point was going to be removed as seemingly redundant. The big toe has a habit of automatically flexing upwards and now this is also happening more on the left foot, so if I stand in bare feet it is as though my body wants to hold the whole weight on the balls and outer sides of my feet. The right foot in particular can feel spasmy and want to turn on the outer side.
If I put weight on my flat feet it feels as though the feet are being compacted and the toes feel very crampy on the right foot in particular.
I struggle to find shoes that are comfortable, cannot wear heels at all as my feet are a)wide and "fat" and b) foot does not flex downwards to get into a heel. The right ankle was badly twisted about three years ago in a jogging fall and has looked swollen ever since. My GP told me I just had a fat ankle.
Standing for any period of time is very uncomfortable....not just because of the plantar fasciitis, but because of the sensation that the weight of my body is crushing my feet. My calves and the front of my ankles feel sore adn strained and now my hips are beginning to twinge.
Generally I am about 1 st overweight, despite running 3 x a week for 3 miles (until 3 weeks ago when the PF hit badly), go to the gym and eat healthily. I am hypothyroid and have passed through the menopause about a year ago.

Is physio likely to be able to help with any of these issues which are currently making life very tiring...and expensive trying to find suitable footwear. I cannot stand easily in the shower and have to put a towel down for comfort, I cannot walk around town/gardening etc as my feel feel exhausted and crampy.

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[gcoe]

Since I was young I have had very flat feet and remember having electrodes attached to them at the hospital back in the 60s. No idea what the strange electrical sensations were supposed to do.

the electrical treatment would have aimed to have stimulated the "intrinsic muscles" of your feet. these are the muscles that lie deep inside the soles of your fee (under the plantar fascia and play a role in keeping the arch of your feet.

I am now 49 (female) and have suffered for the last few years with increasing bouts of toe cramping esp. in the right foot and now plantar fasciitis in both feet.

You have had a life time of "flat feet". Other names for it are Pes Planus and if often goes with pronated feet - your feet being rolled in so that the weight if excessive on the inner side of the sole of the foot where the arch should be. Plantar fasciitis is often the result of a lifetime this problem the fascia that runs between your heel bone and the balls of your feet has been chronically stretched out and the pain results usually from where it has start to tear away from it's attachment on the heel bone (calcaneal spur)

Foot has the four smaller toes "crouching" on top of the foot ie they do not touch the ground when I am standing up, but sort of "hook" from the exaggerated ball of the foot. The little toe is a long way down the foot and at one point was going to be removed as seemingly redundant..

the toe deformities (claw toe) are the result of the intrisic muscles being too long and weak and the extrinsic muscles of the toes are too short and tight, causing them to claw up like hooks.

If I put weight on my flat feet it feels as though the feet are being compacted and the toes feel very crampy on the right foot in particular.
I struggle to find shoes that are comfortable, cannot wear heels at all as my feet are a)wide and "fat" and b) foot does not flex downwards to get into a heel.

Again this is the result of a life time of poor mechanics of the feet. I take it you have been to a podiatrist who has had a good look not just at your feet but at your walking? They may be able to help with shoes.

If I put weight on my flat feet it feels as though the feet are being compacted and the toes feel very crampy on the right foot in particular.
I struggle to find shoes that are comfortable, cannot wear heels at all as my feet are a)wide and "fat" and b) foot does not flex downwards to get into a heel. The right ankle was badly twisted about three years ago in a jogging fall and has looked swollen ever since. My GP told me I just had a fat ankle.

Again ths may be because of the long standing muscle imbalances. Muscle pain is common after these sorts of problems and physio can often help with this aspect of the problem.

despite running 3 x a week for 3 miles

I don't think I would recommend you do jogging. I think you have to accept that your feet are not up to it. However the gym is a great idea and there are lots of ways of getting fit without jogging. Have you tried using the low impact machines like the cross trainer, rowing machine, stationary bicycle? Definitely loosing more weight and keeping it off should long term help your feet.

If I put weight on my flat feet it feels as though the feet are being compacted and the toes feel very crampy on the right foot in particular.
I struggle to find shoes that are comfortable, cannot wear heels at all as my feet are a)wide and "fat" and b) foot does not flex downwards to get into a heel. The right ankle was badly twisted about three years ago in a jogging fall and has looked swollen ever since. My GP told me I just had a fat ankle.

So far we have just talked about the local problem at the feet. However postural problems like flat feet usually don't happen in isolation. In fact usually there are patterns of muscle imbalances across a number of joints. The feet are at the end of a chain of joints where problems can be and if you address some of these problems this can often help the feet. Muscle imbalance s particularly at the lower spine, hip and knee are common. And this is where a good physio can often help you. You want to go to a physio that really looks at the length and strength of your muscles and will devise a programme that fits with your gym programme. doing the right sort of weights in the gym that will improve muscle balance can be very worthwhile.

To be honest I think you have to accept you now have a life time problem and it will never go away completely. However you may find by getting rid of a bit more weight, getting a comprehensive programme to improve your lower limb alignment, along with good shoes tailored for your feet may really make a difference and improve matters.

[Hobbit]

Gcoe - your response was very thorough and interesting. Yes, a life time of flat feet....as my father also has and he is almost crippled with it. I don't want to end up like that. I think it is hard to come to terms with not jogging but yes, I can use the gym equipment and do use the bike and cross-trainer. Losing weight is a real challenge and even my GP says I am must unlucky in that nothing I do shifts it. He says it is because of the thyroid problem. Sometimes it seems like everything is stacked against me....in my more "sorry for myself" times. Currently battling to find shoes that are comfortable without being too orthopaedic looking and suitable for the summer.
Thanks for all the information. The podiatrist did video my gait with and without shoes. I am seeing her again next week: she did mention custom orthotics but I may also wait to see what the physio suggest in July. Meanwhile, am using the iced bottle/stretching exercises.