Little support for flip-flops
There are no comments for this page [ Add Comment ]Tuesday, August 14, 2007
By Jamie Lampros
Standard-Examiner correspondent
After months of wearing heavy socks and thick shoes, many teenagers welcome the warm weather with the lightweight rubber soles that flip-flops have to offer.
But the summer shoe isn't good for the health and well-being of your foot, say many doctors -- and you just might end up with foot pain now and complications later.
According to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, flip-flops don't cushion or support the foot, and, after wearing them all summer, kids are heading back to school this fall with foot pain and even injuries.
Even in your mid-teens, new bone is growing in your heel. Flip-flops don't cushion the heel, so repetitive stress from walking in them can lead to inflammation of that heel-bone growth area and cause pain and tenderness.
"Most of the time when we walk, we want our shoes to have some sort of shock absorption and flip-flops have absolutely no support," said Dr. William Martin, a podiatrist who practices in Brigham City and Logan.
"When someone wears them, they will eventually develop calluses on the inside of the toes and the back of the heels. Those will eventually crack and lead to very painful conditions, including infections."
Martin said people who wear flip-flops for long periods of time, especially those with really flat feet, also complain of heel and arch pain.
Other problems students can take back to school with them include inflammation of the Achilles tendon, painful pinched nerves, sprained ankles, broken or sprained toes, cuts and scrapes, plantar warts and athlete's foot.
Eden Buxton, 15, of South Ogden, said she wears flip-flops year-round, even in the wintertime.
"Sometimes I'll wear tennis shoes like Converse, but I usually wear flip-flops," she said. "My feet hurt worse when I wear them. I thought everyone had pain in their feet. Pretty much all the teenage girls wear them. My sister wears them all the time, too."
Kaitlyn Burt, also 15, said she used to wear flip-flops all of the time when she was in junior high school. Now she only wears tennis shoes and flat-heeled shoes.
Martin said one simple solution to foot pain caused by wearing flip-flops is to stop wearing them and get into a good sturdy, comfortable shoe.
"The best thing to do is to wear socks every day and shoes that are well-ventilated during the warm weather," Martin said. "When I look for a shoe, I look for three things. First, I don't want it to bend in the middle. Second, it should have a firm heel, and third, I shouldn't be able to twist that shoe."
Martin said the more expensive shoes are better quality, and people who wear them should have less foot pain. He said Crocs are good shoes, as well as New Balance and Brooks brands.
"There are a lot of things you can do to help your feet," Martin said. "If your feet sweat, get roll-on and put it on the bottom of your feet or pour some powder in your shoes. Take an extra pair of socks and change midday."
If you have calluses, Martin said, apply a heavy cream to the feet every morning, and at night, apply the cream and wrap your feet in plastic.
If you have a bacterial infection, head to the doctor. The same rule applies with a fungal infection.
The ACFAS also reports that teenagers with diabetes should avoid flip-flops and sandals because of the risk of infection or foot injury, which can become serious and lead to amputation.
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