Even though the freedom of going barefoot and the ease of wearing flip flops may be your favorite part of summer, these habits may also be playing a major role in the downfall of your feet.
Dr. Jose De La Torre specializes in managing painful conditions and has treated many cases of chronic foot pain that start with a preference for flip flops and bare feet. He offers some insight into how your choice of footwear can set you up for a lifetime of chronic foot pain and mobility issues.
Though there’s enjoyment in wearing non-binding flip flops that keep your feet cool, choosing to wear flip flops too often can affect the overall way you walk.
Although it takes time for your gait to change, continued wear of flip flops and non-supportive shoes can ultimately lead to serious complications, especially in your ankles, heels, and the soles of your feet.
Constantly moving without good footwear increases your risk for painful conditions like:
As a result of dysfunction in your ankles and feet, you may also develop pain that radiates up into your legs and back.
Inadequate footwear, especially flip flops, forces the ankles to turn inward, changing how you walk and the length of your strides. Your constant, but subconscious, efforts to keep your flip flops in place can lead to aching muscles and persistently tired feet.
When your walking movements begin to change, you may be inadvertently putting excess pressure on your joints, especially in the ankles and toes. This pressure can cause degenerative joint changes and increase your risk for developing chronic pain from arthritis.
You may also be at increased risk for chronic muscle and joint pain that results from overuse of these tissues when wearing flip flops or because of injuries you sustain in a fall due to poor support from your footwear of choice.
Going barefoot may seem like the most natural thing to do, but going shoeless for long periods of time can increase your risk for arthritis and other painful foot conditions.
Additionally, without protection, your feet are subject to injury from your environment. Going barefoot increases your risk for issues like:
You may also be at increased risk for temperature-related damage, such as burns or frostbite, depending on the season.
Though many of these issues may be minor, if left untreated, they can cause serious health complications and a lifetime of chronic pain. In consideration of that, it’s always best to choose adequate footwear for the activities in which you engage, such as supportive running shoes for exercise or high-quality hiking boots when traveling over more rugged land.
Flip flops and going barefoot are fine on occasion, especially when you’re at home or the beach. But limit their use, and pay attention to any symptoms you may have after a day in flip flops or going barefoot, and schedule a medical evaluation if you suspect you have an infection.
If you’re already suffering from the chronic pain of plantar fasciitis or other chronic condition from years of wearing improper footwear, schedule an appointment at New Tampa Interventional Pain and Sports Medicine today by calling the office.
