I had arthritis in my big toe joint.... got so bad the joint was bone on bone and totally destroyed. I didn't know what it was, just knew I had searing pain after prolonged activity (playing baseball, hiking, etc...) I finally got tired of living with the pain, and went to a specialist to see what it was. He did the x-rays, and came back with the arthritis diagnosis. Then he said, "I can fix it".

1-1/2 hours under the knife, a break here, a few pins there, and some bone shaving and reshaping. 10 days off my feet, then a little rehab.

That was in 2000, and no issues since. It changed my life because I was able to become fully active again and not have to worry about paying for a day of outdoor activity with a couple of days of agonizing pain.

I'd name my son after that doctor, if I had one.