Buying 2 pairs of shoes - one that fits the left and another that fits the right - has been suggested but I can't seem to bring myself to do it for cost reasons. Usually, I just put an extra pad in the smaller shoe to compensate for the size difference. I look for shoes with boxy toes and high toe boxes as they fit best. Since narrow feet do not absorb shock well, cushioned soles are preferred.

The podiatrists used plaster casts for my orthodics. Unfortunately, they focused only on the arch support when they should also have made sure that the orthodics were made narrow enough to fit in narrow shoes. Also, they failed to include cutouts for my bunionettes resulting in corns and callouses forming there when the orthodics are worn. I have yet to find a really good podiatrist. I will look into what an orthopedist does; seeing one has never been recommended to me before.

Another option would include foot surgery to correct crooked toes and remove the bunionettes. However, this would not address the most difficult shoe fit issues. Foot surgeries take a long time to heal and would require me to be on crutches for weeks; only one foot at a time could be operated on.

Thanks for your concern and support.