Our Dallas Orthotics Specialist Explains the Flip-Flop Friendship

dallas-orthotics-specialist Summer means grilling, the beach, and the return of your warm weather friend, flip-flops. The staple of summer wardrobes, flip-flops are the ultimate comfortable, casual shoe. People wear them to the beach, shopping, strolling the boardwalk – just about everywhere once the weather warms.

After a long winter wearing heavy boots, sliding into those flip-flops can feel like welcoming an old friend back into your life. But our Dallas orthotics specialist cautions that flip-flops are one of those friends that could be bad for your health if you’re not careful.

Friendship Mechanics

With some friends, you tend to act differently. It’s the same with flip-flops. Ever notice that you walk differently when you wear flip-flops? You do! You actually alter your step when wearing them, gripping your toes to hold them in place. This causes you to take smaller steps and hit your heels on the ground with less vertical force than if you were wearing athletic shoes or other shoes with support. And the general lack in arch support can tire out the foot and lead to various sorts of pain.

With all of these “mechanical” issues at hand, it’s no wonder that wearing flip-flops for long periods of time can lead to sore feet, ankles and legs. The pain can even radiate all the way up to the hips and back.

Your flip-flop friendship can be dangerous in other ways too. They’re easier to trip in, leading to bumps, bruises, or something worse, like rolled ankles and broken toes. And the lack of traction from flip-flops, both on the bottom sole and from your foot becoming slippery on the insole of the sandal can lead to falls and other injuries.

Moderation is Key

The good news is, you don’t need to necessarily end your flip-flop friendship or eliminate them from your wardrobe entirely. Like anything else, moderation is key: Slipping flip flops on by the pool or for a short jaunt likely won’t cause any harm — the problems arise when they become your go-to summer shoes. Instead, choose other footwear that offers more support.

Contact Our Dallas Orthotics Specialist for Help

So, remember, choose your friends, and your flip-flops wisely. Be safe and smart when buying and wearing any footwear. Enjoy the warm weather! And if you’d like more information on proper footwear, we encourage you to call us!

The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about hammertoe and other topics related to podiatry, feel free to contact Dallas Podiatry Works, with a convenient podiatry office in Dallas, TX, by calling 972.564.8556 or by clicking here.

The doctor has great “bedside manners” when talking to patients. Great staff and comfortable atmosphere.

Derrick W.

The staff at Dallas Podiatry Works could not have been more courteous, helpful, and professional in doing their job. They made me feel comfortable when I was there, which is certainly appreciated. They answered all the questions that I had and just made each visit the most pleasurable that it could be. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing this type of foot care.

Joseph B.

I would highly recommend Dr. Brook to anyone with foot problems–especially problems that stump other podiatrists. He really is very caring and very knowledgeable.

Jeannette H.

Dr. Joel Brook and the staff were nice and helpful. Though I was a new patient, I got right in as soon as they were open in my preferred location. They diagnosed the problem and provided medicines along with a perfect gel bandage so I could keep exercising while my toes healed. My toes already hurt less and look a little better each day. If I have future issues, I will be a repeat customer. Here’s hoping I don’t, but at least I know my feet are in good hands.

Meryl E.

I visited this office for an ingrown toe nail a few years ago. After seeing another doctor, who made it worse, he referred me to Dallas Podiatry Works. The doctor there was able to fix my problem. I’m not great with reviews, all I can tell you is that this doctor and staff will have you up and running or doing whatever it is you do in no time. You will be in great hands. You’d be a fool not to use this doctor. Now its time to visit him again for the other toe.

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Been having bad ankle pains for 6 months was referred here and it was a great visit ladies in the front desk medical assistants and the Doctor were all very friendly and make you feel very comfortable.