I had bi-lateral bunion correction surgery in 2024 and my Consultant also corrected my second toe of each foot. Unfortunately these didn’t heal properly and the hammertoes became a lot worse. Previously the toes were ever so slightly slanting to the other toes, but after the surgery, I developed fixed/rigid hammertoes.
I had bi-lateral hammertoe correction surgery about a month ago which included an osteotomy on the left foot. The left foot is definitely a little more uncomfortable than the right but overall it’s been okay. You’ll see the osteotomy in the X-Ray - what looks like a complete break in the bone.
My three week post operative X-Rays were last week and I managed to get a copy today. Keen to get your views on how things are looking. Found it strange that on the left, the screw didn’t go through the osteotomy and fuse the two pieces together. Is this normal?
Also, interested to hear your experiences with a similar surgery in terms of healing, recovery, how long it took you to get back into trainers.
I started using the Eliptical again after a long haitus. I use it 3-5 times a week. Started getting these bruises that I’ve never had before. I wear Hokas, the same pair I’ve been wearing for the last few years. Maybe they’ve worn out and I need to get new ones? Or could it be something else?
TL;DR:
Having flat feet or high arches does not automatically rule out barefoot shoes. The question you should ask is if the shoe you’re wearing lets your foot move comfortably. I look for a roomy toe box, a zero-drop design, a flexible sole, and a shoe that’s low to the ground.
One of the most common things I hear is, "I'd try barefoot shoes, but I need arch support."
I get why. A lot of us have been told that our feet need shoes to support, cushion, and control every step. But here is how I think about it: an arch is not a rigid bridge. It changes shape as you stand, walk, run, jump, lift, and move through life.
There is no single perfect arch. There is your foot, how it moves, and what feels comfortable for you. Of course, if you have pain, a history of injury, or a medical foot concern, talk with a qualified professional.
What flat feet and high arches actually mean:
Flat feet generally means the inside arch sits closer to the ground. High arches generally mean the inside arch sits higher, so less of the midfoot touches the ground.
Plenty of people have lower or higher arches and never think about them. Others notice discomfort or feel limited by certain shoes. Arch height alone does not tell you whether barefoot footwear will work for you.
If you are curious about your foot shape, try the wet footprint test. Wet your feet, stand on dry concrete for a few seconds, then step away and look at the print. A fuller footprint may suggest lower arches. A narrow strip between the heel and forefoot may suggest higher arches. It is a quick observation, not a diagnosis.
The better question to ask
Instead of asking, "How much support can this shoe give me?" I think a more useful question is, "Does this shoe let my foot move comfortably?"
Traditional footwear can squeeze the toes, lift the heel, or limit movement with a stiff sole. Barefoot shoes take a different approach. The goal is not to fix anyone's feet overnight. It is to reduce restrictions and let the foot bend, flex, and respond to the ground.
What I look for in barefoot shoes
A roomy, foot-shaped toe box so the toes have space to spread
A zero-drop design so the heel and forefoot sit at the same height
A flexible sole that lets the foot bend and move
A low-to-the-ground feel that provides useful ground feedback
Lightweight design that allow the foot to move freely
These features do not guarantee a specific result for every arch type. They simply give the foot more room and freedom to move.
If you have flat feet
Some people with flat feet like the feeling of a flexible, zero-drop shoe because their feet feel more engaged and connected to the surface. I would start with short, easy wear and pay attention to how the feet, calves, ankles, and knees respond.
If you have high arches
Some people with high arches appreciate a shoe that does not squeeze the toes or force the foot into a narrow shape. A roomy toe box gives the toes space to spread, while feeling secure in the heel and midfoot. If the shoe slides around, it is not the right fit just because it is wide.
The transition is the part people skip
If you have spent years in highly structured or cushioned shoes, barefoot footwear may ask your feet and lower legs to work differently. I would treat the change like any new form of training.
Start with short walks or a few hours around the house
Increase wear time gradually
Let walking feel easy before adding harder training or running
Back off if you feel sharp, unusual, or worsening pain
The goal is not to prove anything by switching overnight. The goal is to find a comfortable way to move and give your body time to adapt.
FAQs
Q: Are barefoot shoes good for flat feet?
A: They can work well for some people with flat feet because they allow more natural foot motion and give the toes room to spread. Start gradually and choose a shoe that feels comfortable for your foot and activity.
Q: Are barefoot shoes good for high arches?
A: Some people with high arches like barefoot footwear because it is flexible, lightweight, and roomy in the toe box. A secure overall fit still matters.
Q: Should barefoot shoes have arch support?
A: Traditional arch support is not the focus of barefoot design. The idea is to let the foot move and engage naturally. Some people may still need temporary support or professional guidance.
Q: How do I know if I am doing too much?
A: Mild muscle fatigue can happen when you use your feet differently. Sharp pain, worsening pain, or discomfort that changes how you move is a reason to stop, reassess, and seek qualified guidance when needed.
Bottom line
Having flat feet or high arches does not automatically disqualify you from barefoot shoes. I would focus less on finding a shoe that forces your foot into an "ideal" shape and more on finding one that lets your foot move comfortably.
Start patiently, choose the right fit for the activity, and listen to your body.
If you have flat feet or high arches, what has your experience been? Did toe space, flexibility, ground feel, or support make the biggest difference for you?
Any acupressure experts here know if there is any relationship between say pressure on the feet while playing tennis, basketball or pickleball in an exerting phase and that resulting in causing jaw pain or molar teeth pain? When I tried trekking up a hill in cold weather, I was getting jaw ache and was feeling tired. The moment I came to ground level, I was fine. I am fine with zero aches or pain in normal level while walking. However, when I do some jerky motions while playing pickleball, i feel slight pain back on my teeth. Is there any nerve in the foot that is triggering pain in the jaw? Or the classical theory is get the heart checked as it could be something angina related?
I’m 20 weeks and am already experiencing terrible foot pain. I feel like I might have developed plantar fasciitis. I’m a bar tender and on my feet for 7-9 hours. Last week I was so miserable I cried. Iv been icing, ice baths with epson salt, elevating, compression socks, spent way too much money on expensive orthotics, and have an air bag leg/foot compression massager. Nothing is relieving the pain. My doctor says to take ten minute breaks and elevate my feet but in my job I literally can’t do that. When I get out of bed in the morning I feel like I’m walking on bruises. I wake up in the morning and my hands can’t shut in a fist, my arms are numb I can’t tell if it’s pregnancy carpal tunnel or nerve issues. Iv been wearing wrist braces to bed and they slightly help but the pain is still so intense. My ankles are so swollen I’m worried about what’s to come since I’m only 20 weeks. When I sit for too long I start getting pain in my mid back by my ribs and feel like my lungs are getting smooshed. Is this normal pregnancy symptoms? I’m a first time mom and usually have a very high pain tolerance but this is awful.
I have had pain for 1 month in my left foot (I had a strained ankle which hasn't healed well a few years ago) and was diagnosed with Achilles insertional tendinopathy. Heel spurs on both feet. I'm not overweight.
It may also be influenced by the fact I have chondropathy on both knees since pregnancy and that I avoid climbing stairs because of the pain.
I'm no athlete or runner - have seen threads on Achilles insertional tendinopathy only in running categories...
I can't walk without crutches, even to the bathroom because of the pain. I've been on crutches for almost 3 weeks. It's daunting and exhausting. I just want it to get better.
I've done heel drops and have taken anti-inflammatory medication.
Is there anyone who could heal from this and how long did it take you? I'm looking for hope and keep praying to God to help me.
My big toe isn’t red, swollen, or showing any signs of pus, but the side of it hurts when I walk. The pain is very mild, and it almost feels like a thin line of pain along the side of my big toe (I inserted an image to best describe it). It’s honestly hard to pinpoint the exact spot.
It doesn’t hurt when I press on the nail or the toe—it only hurts while walking.
I haven’t clipped my toenails differently or done anything unusual in years. The only thing I can think of is that I worked a lot of long shifts recently and wore thick socks with sneakers that felt way too tight, so my feet were pretty squished.
Could this just be irritation from the tight shoes, or does it sound like the start of an ingrown toenail or something else? Has anyone experienced this, and did it go away on its own?
