Mimi, the first thing the podiatrist told me was to never, EVER go barefoot. At least with my issue it does make it worse. I don't usually limp but if I go barefoot (sssshhhh, I had to do it on the beach!) I was limping in the sand in a very short time.

Of course, my right foot is a lot worse than my left but that only happened after I dropped the bike trailer on it

Good luck at the consult!