Flip-Flops & Foot Problems

by: AndreaDow
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Thursday, July 5th

After the 4th of July, we truly soak in the fact that it is summer! The best time of year to ditch your socks, go barefoot in the grass or grap your flip flops for the beach. After reading this blog, you just may want to think about ditching those flip flops for good and buying yourself some better quality shoes to avoid problems with your feet both now and in the future.

Dr. Michael Loshigian, a podiatrist and foot surgeon at New York's Mount Sinai Hospital and spokesperson for the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons talked about some of the hidden dangers of flip-flops on The Early Show July 3rd.

Medical experts everywhere are experiencing an incease in their patient's foot related problems that are directly related to wearing flip-flops for too long. These shoes were originally designed to be worn short distances, from the pool into the house or from the ocean to your lounge chair. They were not designed for long term use like running errands all day or playing outside with your kids. The main problem with flip-flops is that they do not support the anatomical shape of the foot. The shoe is basically a thin piece of rubber that is too flexible to provide sufficient support or mold to the shape of your foot. According to Loshigian, people develop strain in their heel and their arches. Chronic flip-flop users are susceptible to ankle injuries, ankle sprains and ankle fractures. Even the host of They Early Show admit that she broke her ankle from wearing flip-flops too much the previous summer! The thong piece of the sandal can also be a point of irritation and infection for people with circulatory disorders like diabetes.

When looking for supportive sandals, make sure the bottom has a good tread and the base has support for the arch and a cup for the heel. Click on the links to check out the popular Crocs and Merrell shoes for great alternatives.

Rating: 5.00