Thanks a lot for that. I think it's a chronic sprain of the anterior talofibular calcaneo fibular ligament rather than tibialis posterior dysfunction as the aching I get is nearly entirely over that ligament, on the outer side of the ankle. The tightness I sometimes feel under my foot comes when I walk on it for more than a few minutes and in my calf (yes, the back of my leg and my shin), it comes after I've been sitting down it seems. My aching does seem to be a little better since I started strapping it a few days ago (which keeps my foot at a right angle to my leg) so I'm of the opinion now that it's the instability in my ankle which means the ligament is unable to repair itself, now that it's got to a position where it's so sensitive. I have read that this may lead to having to get an operation to stabilise it, but how do I know if it's still saveable with physio and what can I do to maximise my chances of recovery? Should I maybe get crutches, and only weight bear on it when I do my one-leg balancing exercises (which my physio has already recommended to work on my proprioception, so thanks for giving me more confirmation in that one)?

Oh, and I no longer wear the insoles I was given be a podiatrist, as he gave me them years ago on the basis that I was flat footed, even though that's not the case. I have good arches, but my feet would roll inwards, which was to do with my posture, which I've been trying to sort properly by increasing the power and use of my glutes and core muscles for walking and stability rather than back and hip flexors. I started trying to do this over a year ago, but it's only been over the last few months that I've really felt able to begin really using those muscles at all, particularly my glutes and I've still got a long way to go, so it is very possible that this is having an effect, but I don't know what or why.