Summer Footwear Pains
Let's face it there are many people who can wear whatever type of shoes they want without any consequence. You know the women who can wear high heel dress shoes and walk 15 blocks in the city or dance all night at a wedding and not have so much as a blister. If this is you and you can wear all types of shoes without pain, stop reading. However, for many people trying to wear sandals, flip flops or water shoes in the warm weather leads to foot pain.
In my office, summer brings a wave of patients with problems that are triggered by the type of shoes that they choose to wear in the summer. The majority of the time the shoes we choose to wear in summer are significantly different than what patients typically wear in cooler weather. This leads to shoes/sandals that have inadequate support, poor cushioning, and decreased heel heights. To make matters worse with the warm weather patients are usually walking and standing in these types of shoes for longer periods of time.
Shoes with very thin soles provide no cushioning or support under the foot. With minimal shock absorption there is increased pressure on the bottom of the foot. This can lead to heel pain (plantar fasciitis), pain in the joints of the ball of the foot, pain or arthritis of the big toe joint, callouses, and arch stain. Heel pain complaints skyrocket in the summer. This is due to change in the type of shoes people are wearing and their increased activity. The results-- Heel pain, strains, sprains and tendinitis!!!
I'm not naive. I realize that patients (and myself for that matter) are not going to change the types shoes that are worn in summer and on vacation. I would never recommend that everyone stop wearing sandals and flip flops. But some of us are going to pay the price and you need to be aware why these shoes cause problems, what type of problems they cause, as well as how to avoid them. There are some sandal and flip flops that provide better support than others. If you insist on wearing sandal/flip flops using styles with contoured foot-beds, arch support and good cushioning are the way to go. ( see image below)
Click on this link for a variety of sandals that are better for your feet
If you are having foot problems, evaluating what you are wearing on your feet is essential. The majority of patients that come in with foot pain caused by the wrong type of shoes/sandals have never considered it could be the shoes.... or don't want to admit it to themselves.
The Most Common Complaints
Heel pain(Plantar Fasciitis): #1 on the list!!! Pain at the bottom of the heel. Flat, poorly cushioned shoes, with little to no arch support, and low heels, lead to an amazing number of people who develop heel pain. The pain is typically worse in the morning and after rest. (For a detailed explanation of heel pain and its treatment see my blog post "The Most Common Foot Problem: Heel Pain" Click on this link http://doctorsfootnotes.blogspot.com/2010/09/most-common-foot-problem-heel-pain-heel.html )Achilles Tendinitis: This pain is located in the back of the heel. Either on the heel bone or on the tendon at the back of the ankle before it attaches to the heel bone. We see this more often in summer due to patients switching from sneaker or shoes with a thick heel to flat heeled shoes or sandals. This puts increased stretch on the Achilles tendon and leads to tendinitis
Strains: The aforementioned lack of support and cushioning put abnormal strain on the ligaments and tendons of the foot. Weather it be arch strain or pain in the central/mid-foot area, the extra work the tendons and ligaments have to do leads to inflammation and pain.
Ball of foot pain / Metatarsalgia: Pain he ball of the foot is also common with summer footwear. This pain is most commonly experienced in the ball of the foot behind the second toe but can occur anywhere in the ball of the foot. The lack of cushioning under the ball of the foot is the obvious cause. and sandals with low heels, or worse, high heels increase the pressure on the ball of the foot. If this excessive pressure on the ball of the foot continues, it can lead to permanent injury to the soft tissue in the ball of the foot and toe joint.
Check out my interview on NY WABC 7 about how to get your feet ready for summer:
"Caring for your feet during the summer"
What not to wear...
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Nearly all shoes that have thin soles also have inadequate support. That is especially the case with sandals and flip flops. That lack of structural support in the shoe means that all of the tendons, ligaments and joints need to work harder during walking and standing. These types of shoes also provided virtually no shock absorption.
Flip flops
The number one culprit!!! Inexpensive, comfortable, cool, easy to put on and off, and seemingly always in style. The problem with them is obvious yet most patients are in denial that they could be the cause of problems. If you are going to wear flip flops choose styles that have cushioning and support.
Ballet Slippers
Worse than Flip flops! less cushioning, less support!!! Very popular but very bad for your feet.
Dress Sandals
Here comes the broken record....No support thin leather soles, no cushioning....Foot problems waiting to happen. Add low heel, to this type of sandal and you shift all of your weight to the ball of the foot without any cushioning to protect you. The result is pain in the ball of the foot (metatarsalgia) and the possibility of permanent injury.
Water Shoes
Good for water, Good for the beach! Bad for prolonged walking and standing.
