Been to a podiatrist but Big toe always needs to crack

Hi,
Sorry but I have been to a podiatrist and basically diagnosed Arthritis in the knuckle of my big toe and gave mee new Orthotics.
I have to crack my big toe every 2-3 hours. It is very painful if I don’t.
I basically grab it by the toenail and give it a little tug.
The big knuckle cracks and it is fine for a few hours and then the pain comes back and I crack it again and it is fine.
I mentioned it to my GP and he offered to send me back to the same podiatrist. HMO so I have to use her.
Have you seen this before?
Should I just bite the bullet and try another podiatrist. Afraid I could see 10 before someone recognizes it as somethingthey have seenbefore.
Thanks You.
Wally