Crocs Facing Public Scrutiny After Experts Say Shoes Are Bad For Feet
By: Crocs are part of a long debate on whether the shoes are bad for your feet, even if they seem comfortable. Many celebrities never joined the Croc campaign in fear of public scrutiny because of how ugly those plastic shoes are, but now foot experts agree that the shoes are bad.
The fans of the Crocs brand have remained strong and steadfast. They maintain that the comfort of Crocs outweighs their appearance. And besides, they don’t look that bad, right? Well, maybe that is wrong.
Now theres new evidence that Crocs are bad for your feet. The research comes from several podiatrists, who declared them bad to walk in. Some of the physicians actually spoke to The Huffington Post about their concerns.
The foot experts explain that the main issues with Crocs are the fact that the open back with only a loose strap leaves your heel unstable, and the shank - the supportive structure between the heel and the toe. “Unfortunately Crocs are not suitable for all-day use. These shoes do not adequately secure the heel. When the heel is unstable, toes tend to grip which can lead to tendinitis, worsening of toe deformities, nail problems, corns and calluses. The same thing can happen with flip flops or any backless shoes as the heel is not secured,” Dr. Megan Leahy said in a statement.
For Croc lovers, this is bad news, and it’s fuel for the anti-Croc campaign. Experts say that the shoes are fine in short spurts, like trips to the beach, but should not be worn for long walks or extended periods of time.
Most experts suggest that people find out what shoes are best for their feet by a podiatrist or even getting their foot tested at a shoe shop or running clinic. But while the average Croc may not be great for your foot, Foot and Ankle Associates of north Texas, note on their website that Crocs sell a special line for medical professionals, dubbed Crocs Rx. The shoes can be a good substitute for slippers or garden shoes, and are made with a deeper insole so that orthotic inserts can be worn with the shoe.
Meanwhile Dr. Alex Kor takes issue with the shank. He explained that the most important feature in any shoe is this area, which provides support between the heel and the toe.
“Patients are more likely to have foot pain if their shoes bend in the shank,’ he says, noting that Crocs are one of the worst offenders when it comes to shoes with flexible shanks. On a daily basis, I see patients who come into my office complaining of arch or heel pain and they are wearing Crocs. The only two types of patients that may benefit from wearing Crocs are patients that have a very high arch or those who suffer from excessive edema of their legs and ankle. But, under no circumstances can I suggest wearing Crocs 8 to 10 hours per day,” Dr. Kor said.
Leahy also notes that she’s noticed that people tend to trip and fall more wearing Crocs than other shoes, according to the New York Post. So basically, doctors suggest putting away your Crocs because they are bad for your feet. They are not suitable for wearing throughout the day, only for very short walks - such as from your chair to the pool, from the shower to your room, etc.
