The Problem with Flip Flops

The warmer weather begins to call to us. Soon, many folks will be walking around in open-toed shoes, especially sandals and flip-flops. From a podiatric standpoint, however, we want to warn you against the risks that come with wearing flip-flops as shoes. They are great for transitional situations, like from the locker room to the pool, but designer flips flops have enticed folks to wear them as everyday footwear.

The biggest reason we advise against wearing flip-flops as shoes is that they are not supportive. This leads to issues with stability, balance, foot and ankle strain, and lack of cushioning. There is a higher risk of injury, as well as foot pain. They lack arch and heel support, and can be slippery if they do not have proper grip support on the bottom of the outer sole. Children, especially, are prone to injury, since they like to run, jump, and play outdoors. These actions can cause ankle twists and blisters in between the toes.

So what are options for open-toed shoes?

Sandals are probably the next best option. For children and adults alike, supportive shoes are the safest to prevent injury. A back strap around the ankle will secure the feet in the shoe. The best sandals will give you cushioning on your feet and support the arches and heels as well.

Shoes with high heels can be tricky as the feet also need to strain to keep stable. Tight, thin straps can constrict the toes and cause pain, blisters, and inflammation.

Find shoes that fit your children at the time of purchase. Unfortunately, this may mean that you need to buy shoes more often as they grown, but buying sandals that are too big for them (so that they can grow into them) makes for a risk of the feet sliding around inside the sandal. This can cause irritation to the feet and strain to the feet and ankles.

Are you experiencing pain from non-supportive shoes such as flip-flops? Make an appointment today at Alamitos-Seal Beach Podiatry Group. One of our board-certified podiatrists, Dr. Douglas H. Richie, Dr. Jeremy L. Cook, Dr. Faye E. Izadi will be happy to assist you and perform a checkup for your feet at either of our Seal Beach, CA and Los Alamitos, CA offices in Orange County. If inserts are appropriate, we can help you find ones that will fit your needs.