The "Glamour 'Don't'" in this equation for me would be the wearing of shorts in the first place! I think I have two pairs of long walking shorts and wear them rarely. When I do, I wear them with flip flops (used to call them "thongs," but that evokes a different image these days) or sandals, so socks, as far as I'm concerned, are not even an option. I don't like it when Steve wears shorts when we travel. I'm always begging him to get some very lightweight khakis, as I think shorts come off as disrespectful. Steve sometimes wants to wear socks with certain sandals, and I think the look is ridiculous. I associate it with NY retirees living in Florida, and tell him to go whole hog and go for the black socks with garters if he's going to dress like that. ;-P I did buy him some shorter-than-ankle-length, thin socks that match his flesh tone that he can wear with some of his sandals that don't expose much foot. They do absorb sweat (which is why he wants to wear them) and aren't very noticeable at all. I don't keep my hands manicured because they're too useful to be pretty, but my feet are meticulously pedicured, even in the dead of winter. I go barefoot every chance I get. (Steve does too, and I often giggle at the barefoot footprints he leaves in the snow when he goes out to get the morning paper.) We're now at the time of year that unless I wear hiking boots (though I'm just as likely to go sockless in Tevas for hiking-type activities) I'll only wear socks a handful of times for the next several months. It's just as well really: Toolie has an incurable sock fetish. She steals them from drawers and the hamper and walks around the house with them in her mouth, wagging her tail like the evil fiend she is. ;o)

I have PF in my left foot. I have tried chiropractic with limited success, massage, which felt good but didn't give lasting relief, two new pairs of shoes with a third on the way, and orthotics. The shoes that are most comfortable are Abeo H2O tennis shoes with a Spenco orthotic inside. The others, which I am still getting used to are Abeo sandals that are similar to Keens. I do find that it is necessary to wear the new shoes a little each day and increase the time daily. I do stretching exercises that my doctor gave me, and I ice several times a day. I also roll my foot over a frozen juice can, or a frozen golf ball (chiropractor's suggestion), or a tennis ball. I also rest my foot on a bag of frozen peas so my heel can get the benefit of the ice too. Before getting out of bed I stretch by pointing toes toward shin, then out front, repeat ten times. I am in extreme pain, and next Wed. I begin physical therapy. I am hoping for relief. Oh, and I just ordered a pair of clogs I found online that had excellent reviews in terms of plantar fasciitis. It is important to NEVER go barefoot. Good luck to all of us as we search for what will work. This is a nasty, painful thing that hangs on and on. Walking is a real challenge.

I was always just like you describe--hated shoes, hated buying them, resented the money I had to spend on them, absolutely detested wearing them. Had never had a truly comfortable pair of shoes in over 55 years. At any given time, it was rare for me to have more than about 3-5 pairs (one dressy, a pair or 2 of sandals, a pair or 2 of sneakers. Like you, my feet are over 1/2 size different from each other. Then I had a foot problem and made a visit to a WOMAN podiatrist. Not only did she help the immediate problem that sent me to her, but she evaluated my feet--they're basically shaped differently than most of the population--and she recommended a couple of brands of shoes. Now? I LOVE shopping for shoes, love wearing them. I'm more comfortable in them than out of them now that I have great shoes that fit well, and I don't mind paying $50-60 per pair, because I know I'm getting my money's worth--in both comfort and quality (the first pairs I bought at her recommendation, over 3 years ago have been worn a lot, but still look like brand new). Guess my point is, maybe finding the right brand of shoes for your feet might make a difference to you. This is one branch of medicine where I believe it's important for a woman patient to see a dr. who is a woman--not only do they know the medical info, but they undertand fashion concerns as well, and can give really good advice. If you could find a brand that is as comfortable for you, as I have--might be worth spending a few $$$ for a podiatrist visit? Good luck.

I have something similar, capsulitis. Specifically, of the second metatarsal. It's inflammation in there, but doesn't cause significant pain. My foot makes an audible noise, especially when walking barefoot on carpet. It hurts some, but not terrible. He said the cause is anything that puts pressure on the ball of the foot. I work in lawn care, so spend a lot of time pulling weeds, etc. Also, I used to spend quite a bit of time on a ladder, painting. Now when I have to do anything like that, I"m very careful to keep my foot flat and not stand on the balls of my feet. I have orthotics, which were made with a cutout under the bad spot, so it has somewhere to go. I only wear them in my work boots, but I think they helped. Mine has gotten much better over time, sometimes I forget about it. Maybe it would be worth asking about.