Chris, I'd say, based on the ankle problem, combined with the feet going numb, I'd be really trying to track down the cause, since it sounds like somethings just not quite right.
Nothing to worry about, just, in my opinion, worth tracking down the issue, since often it's easily addressed. For example I've found that due to one leg being shorter than the other (just by around an inch), my pelvis is misaligned, and my right leg tends to twist around, and hence my arch has fallen. Knowing this means that I can take steps to accommodate or possibly improve the condition.
I wear boots everyday at work, i'm a landscape gardener so cant work without them and being in gardens without ankle support is asking for problems. Unfortunatly I have gone as far as I can with my ankle and feet and my GP refuses to refer me as its too expensive and wont be allowed on the NHS.
I've learned this from a combination of orthopaedic referrals, and sports injury consultations, the orthopaedic consultant just gave me orthotics to wear, the sports injury practitioners gave me strategies to improve or correct the condition.
By the way, do you wear boots a lot? This can be very bad for ankles, since the boot gives too much ankle support. Sounds like you should work with a specialist (physio or sports injury), to identify some exercises to strengthen the specific ankle muscles, and avoid further injury.
