Thanks, Peter. My shoes wear off pretty evenly. I just found the other thread. I don't have Plantar Fasciitis; the pain is on the ball of the foot. I saw a podiatrist in the US but couldn't stay long enough to solve the problem. Some sort of bone pushing out because the arch of my feet is very high and well marked, and puts a lot of pressure on the ball, and some sort of neuralgia, neuro something, can't remember what. I tried different types of shoes as well as inserts but nothing has helped enough to be able to walk for several miles without pain. He said he wouldn't recommend surgery.
I see if someone can recommend a podiatrist but if not I may end up going to see the ortho surgeon anyway.