Study shows the ways flip-flops damage feet

Study shows the ways flip-flops damage feet


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SALT LAKE CITY — When the weather heats up, people tend to wear more open, airy clothes and shoes in an effort to cool down. A popular summer shoe choice for many is a pair of flip-flops, but people may not realize the damage they are causing their feet.

Jackie Sutera, a New York City podiatrist, and Cary Zinkin, a Florida podiatrist and spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association, teamed up to release a study about the ways that certain types of sandals and flip-flop shoes damage feet. The pair analyzed the different areas of a foot that are damaged or strained by wearing flip-flops with support.

"The feet are the foundation of your whole body," Sutera said to the Huffington Post. "This is the base of the skeleton. It's a domino effect. The rest of your joints and bones have to compensate."

The study noted some obvious dangers of wearing flip-flops, including the lack of protection from dropped objects and stubbed toes. However, the study also revealed statistics from a 2009 Today Show report where over 18,000 bacteria were discovered on one pair of flip-flops, including bacteria traces from fecal matter.

Due to the lack of material to support your foot in a flip-flop, more rubbing and friction occurs. People that wear flip-flops for an extended period of time tend to get blisters in between their toes where the strap connects to the sole of the shoe. Blisters are also common on the bottom of the foot where feet slide around on the sole, particularly on a hot day when the shoe is warmer and the feet perspire.

Study shows the ways flip-flops damage feet

The toe muscles are also affected after long term flip-flop wearing. With only a small strap of material holding the flip-flops in place, the toes have to grip the bottom of the shoes to keep them on. Over time, the repetitive gripping can lead to tendonitis. Excessive flip-flop wearing can also cause hammer toes and bunions.

Due to the lack of support in the soles of flip-flops, individuals can also damage the arch in their foot. The muscle, Plantar Fascia, can become inflamed and cause a lot of arch pain with an extended lack of support in flat shoes. Over time the arches of the feet can collapse, and the foot will flatten out.

Flip-flops actually change the way you walk because of the lack of support. People tend to take shorter steps and shuffle more while wearing flip-flops, making the heel of the foot hit the ground with less verticle force. The changes to one's natural gait can cause irritation and inflamation in the ankles, back, knees and hips. The bones of the feet can also get stress fractures by walking on flat shoes without shock absortion for long periods of time.

The team of podiatrists said that wearing flip-flops while pool side or for a short period of time is alright, but they advised against making flip-flops and sandals your "summer go-to shoe."

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UtahLifestyle
Faith Heaton Jolley

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