I have exclusively worn barefoot, minimalist shoes for ~5 years now. I have never had a foot injury. If anything, I experience significantly less back and knee pain since making the change. I have an old martial arts injury in my right knee. As long as I wear primarily barefoot shoes, it never passively hurts anymore. As long as I don't make a habit of it and go right back to my Merrells, I can wear heels all day without any joint pain because my joints are stronger and healthier than they used to be. I don't have trouble with sharp things, in part because I look where I'm stepping, but also in part because I can feel what I'm stepping on before I put my weight down. I don't often go barefoot outside the house because I live in a dirty city, but I am a full time barefoot shoes convert. It's the obnoxious thing I tell people the benefits of all the time because I know so many people in constant pain who wear big old bulky sneakers and boots.