I totally understand.

When I went for my toenail removal recheck--just before we left on vacation there was another doctor there, a younger woman.
My guy is about 50+.

She did a check (but obviously didn't look at my Xrays from the week before). While she was debriding the nail bed, she moved my toe around and said... not much mobility here! Implying arthritis in the joint. So I pointed out the broken sesamoid bone and that sort of satisfied her.

That foot has many problems... so I just sigh and accept it and do the best I can with it. At least it is not swelling up like it was before. That is a small comfort for now.

I really think the feet can have many mechanical problems. And also stuff does radiate to the feet from the knees and back...I've noticed that myself. Switching beds from our two homes back and forth, generates all sorts of "new" discomforts until I get used to them. And both have foam toppers too and are relatively firm types underneath. When the weather abruptly changes and storms come... I do notice all sorts of new aches and pains.

I find Salonpas are very helpful for me. I don't use them every day, but when I do have pain in the feet, I have spots I apply them for 2 to 3 days, and usually that takes it down for a while.

Sometimes just big toe pain, is coming from the back. Just check any dermatome chart. Also when I dislocated my right knee, I had terrible big toe pain, until the chiro fixed it. After her adjustment, the toe pain stopped immediately! I was very impressed with that, and it was a good learning experience!