Hey Podiatrists:

The last year or so, I’ve noticed I experience some mild pain on the outside of my feet, near the joint under the pinky toe. My feet are shaped in a way that almost resembles a very mild tailor’s/pinky toe join bunion, but it is mild and I think they’ve always been shaped that way. The “bunion” doesn’t feel like bone, but more like a callous on the underside of the foot.

Anyway, I feel pain in that area when walking barefoot or with shoes that have very little support (like slippers). Once I put on “real” shoes (sneakers, hiking boots, even birk sandals) I can walk for miles with no pain whatsoever. I just experience this pain walking in unsupportive shoes or barefoot on hard surfaces (like floors indoors).

What could cause this? Does it warrant medical attention or just more diligent use of my comfortable shoes/replacing them before they go flat?

(I’m male, in later 20s)