Dr. Giacalone Ponders Summer Shoes

Well, even your podiatrist isn’t immune to wanting and wearing those adorable, not-so-good-for-you shoes! This weekend I purchased a very comfortable pair of Fit Flops and of course, true to my style, covered with sequence. But I realized during my searching for summer shoes that I have an unfair advantage over the average shopper. I know what is good for my feet, what is not and what I can get away with.

So which shoes are good for you? All shoes with a thick supportive sole, full top and back or large strap over the arch will keep you from toe gripping while you walk. This reduces foot fatigue and will keep things like heel pain and ball of foot pain from occurring. If you are flat footed, you’ll want something with good arch support and a stiffer sole. If you have a high arch, think arch support, but a little softer. You need the shock absorption. For summer shoes, the best option is a sandal that has a strap over the arch and behind the heel. And don’t forget tennis shoes for activities requiring a lot of walking.

So what should you avoid? Obviously the new 7 inch heels are out! And the ballet slippers need to be passed by as well. Any heel height over 2 inches causes increased pressure to the ball of the foot leading to things like metatarsalgia and neuromas. They also shorten the Achilles tendon which can result in Achilles tendonitis. The ballet slippers are glorified socks. And when was the last time you went shopping in your socks alone?

So what about flip flops? Well, these fall into the “what can I get away with” category. Most of the time, you will hear us say, “don’t wear them”. But we know you are going to and here’s the reason we don’t like them. The only way you can keep a flip flop on your foot is to grip your big toe and second toe together. This is not natural and causes the smaller muscles in your foot to work harder leading to foot fatigue, arch strain and overall foot pain. For those with flat feet, they also cause the large tendon on the inside of your ankle to work harder as well, leading to posterior tibial tendonitis and ankle pain. If you have bunions, wearing flip flops on a regular basis only emphasizes the forces that can make the deformity worse. The thing about flip flops and any other shoe that may not be good for you is to think minimalist. Wear them only once a week or special occasions. And if the shoe hurts as soon as you put it on, don’t try to break it in. It should be comfortable from the very beginning.

If you are not sure what foot type you have or what shoes are good for you, our Certified Pedorthist, Janet Dixon is available to help you. She is located at Healthy Steps DFW and is available for one on one assistance with appointment or walk in. But if you are having any foot pain, our physicians would be happy to evaluate your condition and help get you back to summer fun.