We, here at The Center for Advanced Orthopedics, love flip-flops. Yes, even Dr. Grebing, our foot and ankle specialist, LOVES them (but we should probably book him a pedicure pronto!). They’re fun, affordable and come in about a million colors. What’s not to love, right? When worn in moderation they are the perfect summer accessory.
But . . . those ridiculously cheap shoes could cost your feet a higher price if you were to say . . . “walk 500 miles” while wearing them (catch that The Proclaimers reference??). Why? Because the lack of support under the foot and minimal straps on top of the foot do not provide adequate support. It can actually change how one walks if wearing them often for long periods of time.
It causes wearers to scrunch their toes while walking to help hold the shoe
on their foot. They also have a tendency to shuffle their steps. This can cause a variety of issues to flip-flop fanatics’ feet, ankles, knees, hips and even their back over time.
Foot injuries that can occur include bunions, tendonitis and heel spurs. The bottom of the foot can also suffer pain in the Plantar Fascia (the ligament on the bottom of the foot) and eventually could lead to fallen arches if worn too long too often. With little shock absorption offered, you are also susceptible to stress fractures and ankle problems.
If you do choose to sport flip-flops, Dr. Grebing recommends wearing a pair that offers thicker soles with arch support and substantial straps. He also suggests not wearing them when walking long distances.
If you are experiencing foot or ankle pain or just want to stop by and show off your latest pair of flip-flops, please call our office at 618-288-9460 for an appointment. You can also visit us online at http://c4ao.com/.
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