04/11/08
Flip-flops are the popular shoe of choice for many Baker University students, and freshman Linda Rodriguez is no exception.
“I wear flip-flops because they are more convenient,” Rodriguez said. “I don’t have to spend time finding socks.”
Despite student raves, many podiatrists cringe at this fashion trend.
“Flip-flops should not be worn as a replacement for shoes,” Lawrence podiatrist James Reeves said.
A recent study conducted by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons agrees with Reeves.
The study found that if worn for an extended period of time, flip-flops can cause a variety of foot problems including: sore arches, sore heels and heel calluses.
“Heel pain is very common and real hard to treat,” Reeves said.
The most common types of heel pain are heel spurs, an excess bone growth under the heel bone and bone bruises, which are bruises on the outer covering of the bone.
These types of pain are generally caused by the lack of cushion and support a shoe provides, Reeves said.
Temporary pain can lead to chronic conditions, including heel spur syndrome and plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the tissue located at the bottom of the foot.
Hammer toes is another condition that the ACFAS associates with flip-flops, because the strap forces the toes to unnaturally contract. The condition can lead to muscle imbalance and toe deformation.
Dr. Kenneth Hobbs, BPM, has seen patients suffering from flip-flop induced foot pain at his Topeka practice.
“The only ones that have problems now are those with flat feet,” Hobbs said. “The shoe does not provide enough support, which leads to arch pain.”
Freshman Katey Chandler said flip-flops are part of her lifestyle.
“I wear flip-flops because I’m from California,” she said. “It’s easy to wear (them) on the beach.”
Chandler, who owns six pairs of flip-flops, will continue to wear them even though she has flat feet.
“I already have feet problems, and I can’t fit into other shoes,” she said.
Chandler believes that wearing the shoe puts additional stress on your lower back and causes unnecessary stress on leg joints.
“Shoes need arch support,” Chandler said. “That’s why you don’t see flat running shoes.”
Although Chandler will remain loyal to flip-flops, freshman Ally Voss only occasionally wears the footwear.
“I used to all the time,” she said. “I don’t anymore because they hurt my feet.”
Voss blames her foot pain on the poor construction of the shoe, which she believes does not support her high-arched feet.
While Reeves does not like flip-flops, he does not think students should throw them out.
“Don’t wear them for an extended period of time,” he said. “Eight continuous hours is too long of a time to wear any kind of unsupportive foot gear.”
His advice to students is to rotate shoe gear every few hours to avoid the pain associated with flip-flops.
Even though Rodriguez is aware of the potential problems flip-flops may cause her in the future, they will not deter her from wearing them.
“I don’t listen to those studies,” Rodriguez said. “Besides, my toes need to breathe.”