QP,
 I worked commercial construction for 15 years, and toward the end, my ankles and feet were hurting from hours on a ladder like yours.
 I see some  of the newer extension ladders have flatter wider rungs compared to the old round ones that are hell on your insteps.
 Yes, you could rehabilitate those old ankles/feet, but not until you give up climbing up and down ladders, which isn't a natural thing for your feet to be doing. Love the "shoe" garden idea, bet that gets some conversations going ;)
k,
  We can agree on one thing, I don't like the drugs/operate mentality of many physicians. The guy I mentioned became interested in the "healing" side of health and fitness and was at one time thinking of going to Med school. He had family members/personal issues with the whole drug/operate mentality and went in a more Natural Healing direction. He's in the last semester of a 4 year program in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Once he's finished, he has to certify with the state of CA, a very demanding test, then will be a Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist. He's in his "needling/herbal" internship now and feels vindicated that he chose the right path. There is a growing movement in this country by people who want less invasive methods than surgery and don't want to be depended on drugs. There will always be cases which only surgery or specialized drugs will do the trick, but is hoping for the day when both Western/Eastern medicine will come together in the interest of what's the best for the patient, regardless of what treatment they choose. Many of his Chinese medicine teachers, are also Md's and see the two styles as being complimentary and not competitive. I would always opt for the natural way if I have the choice but that is a personal decision we all have to make?