I get knee and ankle pain when my running shoes are old and worn out. I have to replace them at least every 6 months. The reason I know it's my shoes is because my knees feel fine when I start running in my new shoes.
I went through a period of working out barefoot, especially with classic firms and original fit primes. It just felt good to me. It sounds like you need shoes to help give you some support but just make sure they are big enough and properly fitted for the shape of your foot. I actually buy my running shoes a half size larger to prevent any hurt or bruised toes when I run.
I also understand about the concrete floors. I worked in a department store in my year before law school and I had to wear stockings and heels on concrete floors all day. The bones in my feet would ache at the end of the day. I have also read that the padding in your feet thins outs you age.
Many times, after a longer run I don't want to wear heels later if I'm going out with my dh. It's like my feet have said "Enough! We're tired."
They have a new type of sneaker that is very minimal and light - sort of the shoe industry's response to Vibrams. Maybe they would be good for you? Hth