Sandals and Flip Flops

Sandals and flip flops can vastly increase foot problems. If you are already having foot problems and continue to wear these, then you are at risk for more foot injuries and continued pain and discomfort. Sandals offer very little benefit to the foot and ankle. There is no support in the heel and the arch area.

Not only can you aggravate your foot, but you are also at risks for skin breakdown, cuts, bruises, and broken toes.

The only time I usually will recommend a sandal or flip flop is around hotel rooms, pools, and locker rooms. This is great to avoid other things that we have talked about such as warts, and athletes foot.

I am going to include the APMA's guide "Ten-Tips-To-Avoid-A-Flip-Flop-Fiasco" here. I think its very important to read and understand this to avoid any problems from happening. Some I will typically include are to get a sandal made of soft leather rather than plastic. Also to make sure that your feet do not hang over the edge and there is room for the baby toe, so that it is not aggravated by the edge of the sandal. Another important tip is to look for the APMA's seal of acceptance.

Here are the tips below:
Visit APMA’s Seal page at
www.apma.org/seal.
Tips to Avoid a ‘Flip-Flop Fiasco’
• Do shop for a flip-flop made of high-quality, soft leather. Leather minimizes the potential
for blisters and other types of irritation.
DO’S:
• Do look for flip-flops that hold APMA’s Seal of Acceptance, such as Sole Platinum
Sandals. Evaluated by a committee of APMA podiatrists, these products are shown to
allow for the most normal foot function and promote quality health.
• Do gently bend the flip-flop from end to end, ensuring it bends at the ball of the foot.
Shoes of any kind should never fold in half.
• Do wear a sturdy pair of flip-flops when walking around a public pool, at the beach, in
hotel rooms and in locker room areas. Walking barefoot can expose foot soles to plantar
warts and athlete’s foot.
• Do ensure that your foot doesn’t hang off of the edge of the flip-flop.
DON’TS:
• Don’t re-wear flip-flops year after year. Inspect older pairs for wear. If they show signs of
severe wear, discard them.
• Don’t ignore irritation between toes, where the toe thong fits. This can lead to blisters and
possible infections.
• Don’t wear flip-flops while walking long distances. Even the sturdiest flip-flops offer little
in terms of shock absorption and arch support.
• Don’t do yard work while wearing flip-flops. Always wear a shoe that fully protects feet
when doing outside activities such as mowing the lawn or using a weed-eater.
• Don’t play sports in flip-flops. This practice can lead to twisting of the foot or ankle, as
well as sprains and breaks.
Donning flip-flops to enjoy warm weather? Follow these “do’s” and
“don’ts” from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA):

http://www.podiatrycarespecialists.com/