So many of us wear flip-flops throughout the entire spring, summer, and even fall seasons because of how easy they are to slide on and off. They are perfect for wearing to the beach or even for casual strolls around the neighborhood. However, could your favorite summer shoe be causing damage to your feet? Dr. Oz says that some flip-flops cause plantar fasciitis. Not all flip-flops cause heel pain, however.
So many flip-flops are made with two straps with little to no arch. Wearing the wrong type of flip-flop can damage your feet, changing the way you walk and causing pain. Flip-flops that don't offer arch support can cause muscles to tighten with each step and cause micro-tears. Walking too much in non-supportive flip-flops causes plantar fasciitis. Dr. Oz outlined two flip-flop dangers:
#1: Thin Sole: The thin sole of a flip-flop leaves it vulnerable for injury. Walking around, especially through the streets of New York, any sharp object can easily puncture the shoe, injuring the foot. Dr. Oz says he sees injuries like this all the time.
#2: Plantar Fasciitis: Wearing flip-flops can change how you walk. There are many bones in the feet and many bones make up the arch of the foot. Running from the heel to the ball of the foot is the connective tissue called the plantar fasciitis. When the arch is supported, the plantar fascia is loose but a flat shoe like flip-flops causes the fascia to become taut, creating problems. A bone spur at the heel holds onto the connective tissue. As the plantar fascia stretches and it is pulled from repetitively wearing flat shoes, that natural spur cuts into the muscle and skin causing pain that feels like a nail going through the foot.
Dr. Oz says it's possible to wear your flip-flops and support your foot health too:
- Avoid a thin soled heel yet don't go higher than 2 inches in the heel.
- Find a flip-flop with arch support; and,
- The thong strap should be wide and thick to diffuse pressure over the foot.
If you find you are suffering from plantar fasciitis after wearing flip-flops and do not see a podiatrist, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
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