hi there. Hope leg healed properly over time.
so, to feet. Everyones feet are diff with width, arch all that stuff coming into play. All I know is that when I got new shoes 3 or 4 years ago, I tried on lots of diff ones and the ones that ended up feeling best really did feel best right off. The overall shape and the insert (they are specialized mtn bike shoes) really made my arches feel good, all the foot too. A really stiff shoe isnt fun to walk in, but boy does it support your foot better, and if you get one that fits your feet shape and arch, well, you will find a huge diff in foot comfort. I can now ride all day, day after day, and be pretty good feet wise. A lot better than my old shoes.

the main thing with regular sneakers is that the soles are as stiff as bike shoes, so you they deform downwards a bit when you pedal, so less efficient, as well as being hard on your feet. Thats a drag that your toes go numb etc, so good luck trying diff shoes on. Im honestly not sure if an insert on its own will help fully, but I realize you wont have as many options as us for trying on many diff shoes. I guess the only suggestion is to really listen to your feet when trying on bike shoes. Like I said, for me after trying many on, the ones that I now own felt better right away compared to others (so dont believe the "break-in" myth in other words.)

buenos suertes