Orthoses or orthotic devices (insoles) are shoe inserts that slide into your shoes to help with foot and ankle function, reduce the risk of injury and improve your posture. Conditions that orthoses can help include flat feet and high arches, bunions and hammer toes, heel spurs and plantar fasciitis, and last but not least, back pain and arthritis.

A lot of people are using orthoses in their shoes. As a podiatrist, I see different conditions, that can improve with regular use of orthoses. But which is better? Shop bought orthoses or bespoke ones?

This time we are exploring the pros and cons of different types of orthoses. I hope that this will guide your decision regarding whether off the shelf orthoses, will address your foot pain appropriately.

Over-the-counter insoles

1. 1. Low cost
   2. Soft and flexible
   3. Available straight away
   4. Multiple options available especially if you have flat feet

But they also are:

1. 1. Not designed for your foot type or foot pathology
   2. There are hardly any options if you have high arches
   3. Low durability – only last up to 6 months max
   4. Some of them are thick and bulky, and therefore difficult to fit into footwear
   5. Some of them can do more harm than good

Custom-made orthoses (Bespoke Orthoses)

1. 1. Biomechanically designed and engineered for your foot type
   2. Durability – they can last up to 10 years
   3. Adjustments can be made
   4. Fit better into shoes
   5. They contour to your arch profile so suitable for both flat feet and high arches
   6. Comfortable and supportive

However, they also are:

1. 1. Expensive – minimum £200 plus assessment and casting fees
   2. Delay in issuing them to you
   3. Not all shoes will accommodate orthoses

So, what should you get?

There are advantages and disadvantages to both options. The answer depends on whether you are looking for more comfort whilst walking or standing, or have a more serious condition that needs to be addressed. In any case, it is recommended that you have an assessment by an experienced podiatrist before you decide. During a biomechanical assessment, we take specific measurements from your feet, ankles, knees, hips, and lower back, look at the overall structure of your whole body, examine posture, assess muscle weakness and strength in your lower limbs. There is a lot of observation and measurement involved!

If you experience pain in your feet, or legs, the podiatrist can assess the way you walk and recommend a management plan. Pain is the body’s way of informing you that something is not right. You should not ignore pain, even if it is occasional. If pain is left untreated, it can lead to other compensation patterns elsewhere in the body, such as ankles, knees, hips and back.

Leonardo da Vinci said that “The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a piece of art”. This comes as no surprise, if you consider that the foot contains 26 bones, 33 joints and more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Foot function is very complex, and every foot is totally different.

At Medipod Clinics, our podiatrists understand how your foot works. Claire is our MSK (Musculo-skeletal) specialist and foot supports guru!

We also offer a very wide range of treatments such as verruca treatments, ingrown toenail management, fungal infection treatment, heel pain management, diabetic footcare and sports injuries management. I can assure you that we will do our best to exceed your expectations. Our staff will treat your feet with the respect and attention they deserve. For more information and to get in touch, please contact us on 01455 246100. You are also, welcome to visit us at 45 Rugby Rd, Hinckley, LE10 0QA. We will be delighted to see you!

If you are experiencing any discomfort in your feet, we are more than happy to help. Give us a call today on 01455 246100 to chat through your needs. We would love to help you with any foot health issues you may have.

Thank you for reading – Bespoke Orthoses vs Shop-Bought Insoles: What is Best?

Faye Vogiatzoglou
Clinical Director

http://medipodclinics.com/

The post Bespoke Orthoses vs Shop-Bought Insoles: What is Best? appeared first on Medipod Clinics.

Summertime Foot Hazards Going Barefoot

When the weather is hot, a lot of people tend to walk around barefoot. Although it feels good, going barefoot is generally not a good idea. Being barefoot increases your chance of injury or infection, and it can also cause achy muscles.

In the summer, the pavement absorbs a lot of heat. When the sun is shining, the ground can get hot enough to cause your skin to burn. This is particularly important for certain groups of people who have lost sensation of their feet. Thermal burns are very common in people with neuropathy (lack of sensation) and can lead to serious complications.

Wearing Unsupportive Shoes

One step up from going barefoot in the summer is wearing unsupportive flip-flops or sandals. These can contribute to serious foot pain for many people. Flip-flops are just too flat and make your toes to claw to grasp the ground. Over time, this can lead to toe deformities. In addition, unsupportive footwear can lead to conditions like plantar fasciitis, various tendinitis, and muscle ache. For better foot health, look for sandals that offer support and protection to your feet.

Sweaty Feet

Everyone gets sweaty feet in the summer, particularly if you must wear shoes and socks all day. Sweating can contribute to several issues such as:

• Athlete’s foot
• General fungal problems
• Bacterial infections
• Toenail fungus
• Discomfort
• Body Odour

As a podiatrist, my priority is to improve the condition of your feet and put a smile on your feet! So, if your feet feel hot and bothered…

– Wash your feet regularly. Using antibacterial soap on your feet can reduce excessive sweating.

– Use antiperspirant. Antiperspirant works by blocking pores from excessive sweating. You may also find surgical spirit useful as it is an astringent.

– Try foot powders. There loads of different foot powders out there that can help absorb excessive sweat. Some of them have anti-fungal properties as well.

– Wear the right socks. Make sure your socks are made of natural fibres and not synthetic ones. Replace nylon socks with bamboo socks or cotton.

Blisters, Corns & Calluses

Blisters are small pockets of clear fluid under a layer of skin. They can also contain blood or pus. They are mostly caused by friction, when your shoes rub the same spot on your foot, when you wear shoes that don’t fit properly, or when you wear shoes without socks. Depending on the cause, blistering may happen along with pain, redness, or itching.

Draining a blister is not recommended because of the risk of infection, but if you must “pop” it, use a sterile needle to allow the skin to re-attach. Try not to cut the skin away unless it is already torn and drying out. Keep the blister clean. Bathe your foot in salt water every day and cover the blister with a dressing or gauze. Change the dressing daily until the area is completely dry.

Corns are small lumps of hard skin. Corns are caused by pressure or friction from footwear and are more likely to develop if you have toe deformities. If you think you have a corn, do not use any medicated corn plasters. They contain salicylic acid and can burn the skin badly. Instead, use a non-medicated corn pad, to deflect the pressure. You can also use a pumice stone or a foot file to rub away the hard skin on top. Most importantly, book an appointment with a podiatrist to have your corns professionally treated.

Summertime Foot Hazards

Calluses are larger patches of rough, thick skin. They are caused by an uneven distribution of weight, generally at the ball of your foot or heel. Calluses also can be caused by ill-fitting shoes, pressure, and friction when you walk. Foot orthoses can help redistribute the pressure when you walk and help in general with your posture and alleviate discomfort. If you want to improve the condition of your feet, you can use a pumice stone or a foot file to rub away the hard skin and regularly use a urea-based cream. Also having professional treatment by a podiatrist can seriously improve your foot health! 

When it’s warm and your feet get hot and sweaty, they can feel uncomfortable and painful. Regular visit to your podiatrist can improve the health of your feet and offer you advice on how to best care for them.

At Medipod Clinics we take great care of your feet. Our experienced staff will treat your feet with the respect and attention they deserve. Give us a call today on 01455 246100 to chat through your needs.

We offer a very wide range of treatments such as verruca treatments, ingrown toenails management, fungal infections treatment, heel pain management, diabetic footcare and sports injuries management. I can assure you that we will do our best to exceed your expectations.

For more information and to get in touch, please contact us on 01455 246100. You are also welcomed to visit us at 45 Rugby Rd, Hinckley, LE10 0QA – we will be delighted to see you!

Thank you for reading – Summertime Foot Hazards. Let Your Feet Do The Talking This Summer!

Faye Vogiatzoglou
Clinical Director

http://medipodclinics.com/

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To keep ageing feet healthy and reduce the risk of health issues indirectly caused my foot problems, I am providing you with 10 essential tips for Seniors and /or their Carers.

1. Include feet into your daily/weekly/monthly checks

We usually remember to brush our teeth, put cream on our face and check our eyes but we hardly ever remember to have a foot health check! Especially if we are taking care of someone, we don’t always remove their socks to inspect their feet. Well, it’s high time to include feet into your daily/weekly/monthly checks. It only takes a few seconds, and it is equally important.

2. Keep feet clean and dry

Good foot hygiene is critical in preventing fungal, viral, and bacterial infections of the skin or nails, especially in the ageing feet, as seniors may be able to wash their feet only occasionally by themselves. If you are caring for them, just a simple foot bath with lukewarm, soapy water is sufficient to clean feet at least a couple of times a week. Make sure you also dry them well, especially in between the toes.

3. Trim toenails correctly

Toenails can cause a lot of pain or interfere with stable walking if they become thickened or ingrown. You could trim them yourself or find a podiatrist near you. Professional care may be needed for seniors who have health conditions that affect their feet, like diabetes or arthritis.
If your older adult has dementia and trimming their toenails causes the experience fear, paranoia, or discomfort, you might try making it more spa-like experience. You could try things like soaking and massaging their feet before trimming or putting on their favourite TV show to distract them.

4. Moisturise regularly

Dry skin is more prone to cracking and breaking which is why it is important to moisturise regularly. It is better to apply cream after the feet have been washed and dried thoroughly. This locks in the moisture and helps keep feet soft and supple.

5. Check their feet for pressure points and any skin breakdowns

For people who spend a lot of time in bed or a chair, continuously resting their feet on a pillow, footstool or mattress throughout the day can result in pressure and skin irritation that leads to skin breakdown. Prevent this type of potentially life-threatening condition by “floating the heels” – propping the ankle up so the feet rest suspended in the air without touching anything.

6. Get properly fitting footwear and slippers.

Wearing shoes that are too small or too big can impact feet in many ways – they can rub, cause blisters, impair mobility, contribute to the development of corns and calluses, ingrown toenails as well as heel pain or other types of foot pain.

In general, seniors should wear footwear or house shoes that are stable and supportive.

Shoes should be less that 1 inch heel height, wide enough and deep enough, considering the foot type and ankle stability.

7. Avoid nylon hosiery

Clean cotton socks and stockings should be worn daily and checked for fit. The sock or stocking should be the same size as the foot without stretching. It is advisable to avoid nylon stockings as they increase foot sweating, and therefore make you more prone to a fungal infections like athlete’s foot.

8. Promote circulation

Older adults who suffer from chronic conditions like diabetes, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), or conditions that limit mobility may experience reduced circulation in their feet and lower legs. That can contribute to blood clots. Circulation in senior feet can be improved with foot massages, keeping active and moving feet regularly as well as elevating the lower legs when resting. In some case prescription of compression hosiery may help too.

9. Address pain

Catching early warning signs can help you and your older adult prevent serious medical complications down the line. Feet are often the first part of the body to show symptoms related to conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetic neuropathy (loss of sensation). They can also be affected by heel pain like plantar fasciitis.

If your older adult experiences pain, tingling, numbness, stiffness, redness or inflammation in their feet or ankles, get them to a podiatrist for a thorough examination as soon as possible.

10. Get medical attention when needed

Common foot conditions like hammer toes, bunions, corns, calluses, discoloured nails and verrucas may seem harmless.

But if you are older your immune system can be compromised therefore infection and pain may develop especially in presence of foot deformity, poor circulation, and loss of sensation.

A podiatrist may offer simple conservative measures like wearing orthotic devices, toe separators, bunion pads, and ankle braces.  They also offer advice on footwear or house shoes, assess the circulation and nerve supply to your feet as well as carry out treatment of skin or nail conditions.

At Medipod Clinics we are treating senior feet daily! Our podiatrists are kind and attentive to your needs. We always try to give you the information and tools you need to keep your feet healthy.

If you are experiencing any discomfort in your feet, we are more than happy to help. Give us a call today on 01455 246100 to chat through your needs.

We offer treatments for nails, hard skin, ingrown toenails, verrucas and advice for people with Diabetes. With our expertise and experience, you will have full peace of mind when it comes to your foot health.

For more information about our range of treatments, please contact us on 01455 246100. We would love to help you with any foot health issues you may have.

Thank you for reading – Ageing Feet Need Extra Care.

Faye Vogiatzoglou

http://medipodclinics.com/

The post Ageing Feet Need Extra Care appeared first on Medipod Clinics.

However not all heel pain is related to plantar fasciitis. There are other structures around your heel that can become inflamed and cause discomfort, such as the Achilles tendon. Achilles tendinopathy is commonly seen at the back of the heel. Tightness and sharp pains at the Achilles tendon insertion point, or a few millimetres above the insertion, can be experienced.

With both these conditions, increased pain is noted after long periods of rest; pain may ease after a few minutes of walking but redevelop again with increased activity.

The main cause of heel pain is a combination of abnormal foot function and footwear choice. The heel, or the rearfoot of the foot, has complex biomechanics, where different conditions would exhibit different types of pain. Your podiatrist would need to complete a full biomechanical assessment whilst taking a detailed history to educate you on your condition, and the best treatment options to help resolve this.

Happy feet need to be pain free as well as comfortable, so you can do the things that matter to you the most. Here are our top 7 tips to avoid heel pain:

Medipod Clinics. Top Tips to avoid Heel Pain

Podiatrists at Medipod Clinics are trained to treat heel pain. We understand how your foot works and we tailor a treatment plan to your needs. In most cases a combination of stretching exercises, foot supports, footwear advice, physical therapy and strapping can alleviate your discomfort. We would advise you to avoid a steroid injection unless other measures have not helped.

If you are already experiencing heel pain, we are more than happy to help. Give us a call today on 01455 246100 to chat through your needs.

We also offer other Podiatry services, Dermatology and Physiotherapy Services. With our expertise and experience, you will have full peace of mind when it comes to your foot health.

For more information about our podiatry services, please contact us on 01455 246100. We would love to help you with any foot related questions.

Thank you for reading.

Faye Vogiatzoglou
Clinical Director
http://medipodclinics.com

The post Top Tips to Avoid Heel Pain appeared first on Medipod Clinics.

Corns and calluses are areas of hard skin that develop due to excessive pressure or friction. They commonly occur on the feet and can cause pain and discomfort when you walk.

Podiatrists are trained to use sharp instruments in order to remove efficiently any corns and calluses from your feet. The process is pain free and will leave your skin smooth and feeling great!
Regular podiatry treatments can improve the condition of your feet and improve your well-being.

Corns

Corns are small, localised areas of hard skin that usually develop on the top of the toes or the bottom of your feet. However, they can occur anywhere, even in between your toes.

Corns are caused by:

Abnormal foot mechanics – any foot deformity will change the way you walk. This results in certain areas of your foot rubbing more against the shoe, resulting in corns and calluses.

Corns often occur on bony feet, as there is a lack of natural cushioning. They can also develop as a symptom of another foot problem, such as:

• a bunion– where the joint of the big toe sticks outwards as the big toe begins to point towards the other toes on the same foot
• hammer toe – where the toe is bent at the middle joint

Wearing poorly fitting shoes – shoes that are too loose can allow your foot to slide and rub. Certain shoe designs that place excessive pressure on specific areas of the foot – for example, high-heeled shoes can squeeze the toes.

Calluses and Hard Skin

Calluses are hard, rough areas of skin and are often yellowish in colour. They usually develop at the bottom of your feet, around the heel area or on the skin under the ball of your feet. They can also occur on the palms of your hands due to the friction from wearing rings.

Calluses are larger than corns and don’t have such a well-defined edge. They develop when the skin rubs against something, such as a bone, a shoe or the ground. They often form over the ball of your foot because this area takes most of your weight when you walk.

Activities that put repeated pressure on the foot, such as running or walking barefoot, can cause calluses to form. Other possible causes of calluses include:

• dry skin
• reduced fatty padding – elderly people have less fatty tissue in their skin
• regularly holding objects such as a hammer or racquet

Treating corns and calluses

If you have a corn on your foot, you should see a podiatrist, who can advise you about treatment. Your GP may be able to refer you on the NHS, however if your condition is unlikely to affect your health or mobility you may not be eligible for NHS treatment.

Corns will not simply disappear without treatment. You can help reduce corns and callouses by soaking your hands or feet in warm, soapy water to soften them. This can make it easier to rub the corn or callus with a pumice stone, nail file, emery board or washcloth to help remove a layer of toughened skin.

DO NOT use a medicated corn plaster under no circumstances, especially if you have any medical conditions such as Diabetes.

The corn plasters work by using salicylic acid (keratolytic agent) to soften the corn. If the hard “plug” is soft, it places less pressure on the nerve endings in the skin, reducing pain.

Corn Plasters do not remove the corn permanently and they can cause serious damage to your skin, even infections. That is because unfortunately, the salicylic acid in corn plasters cannot distinguish between healthy skin and corn and can burn the skin quite severely spreading to surrounding healthy skin.

Causes of Corns and Calluses – Solved!

At Medipod Clinics we take great care of your feet. Our experienced staff will treat your feet with the respect and attention they deserve. Give us a call today on 01455 246100 to chat through your needs. If you are not sure what you need, that’s okay too. With our knowledge and enthusiasm for footcare, we will be able to advise you on the right treatment for you.

We also offer verruca treatments, nail surgery, diabetic footcare and sports injuries management. I can assure you that we will do our best to exceed your expectations.

For more information and to get in touch, please contact us on 01455 246100. Or, you’re welcome to pop in and visit us at 45 Rugby Rd, Hinckley, LE10 0QA – we will be delighted to see you!

Thank you for reading this month’s blog – Causes of Corns and Calluses.

www.medipodclinics.com

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The right shoe should:

1. Have a stiff heel counter. Pinch the back of the shoe with your fingers. You should not be able to fold it over. If it is too soft it will not support your foot.
2. Have a small amount of torque. Hold the shoe at both ends. You should be able to twist it slightly.
3. Bend where your toes bend.
4. Provide arch support. This will help prevent heel pain and plantar fasciitis. Wearing shoes that are completely flat like flip-flops or ballet pumps greatly increases your risk of this condition. Cushioned footbeds not only feel more comfortable, but they also act as shock absorbers, reducing the impact of your foot hitting the ground with each step you take.
5. Are wide enough and long enough at the toes. It should not push the toes in or make them curl. Make sure have about 1cm space between the longest toe and the end of the shoe when you are standing. If you consistently wear heels without enough toe space, you will increase your chances of developing hammer toes, corns, bunions, and arthritis.
6. Get your foot measured by a professional. Most people wear shoes that are too small for their feet! Foot size can change as you age. As the arch lowers over time, your foot appears longer, therefore you may need bigger shoes!
7. Shop for shoes at the end of the day — that’s when your foot is at its largest and most swollen.
8. Wear the type of sock you will most likely use with the shoes you are buying. If the podiatrist has prescribed a custom orthotic, you should also try it on with the shoes

Choose styles that improve stability. The more stable and secure your shoe feels, the more comfortable you will feel. In addition to the toe space, the heel height will affect your comfort. Ideally you should go for a shoe with a low heel height. Check your heels for the following:

• Wear a chunkier heel. The wider the heel, the more stability you will have.
• Shoes that have wooden or hard plastic soles are more rigid and will be more difficult to walk in. Look for shoes with leather and rubber soles.
• Slingbacks, heels with ankle straps, peep toes, and boots are easier to walk in than mules or super strappy sandals. The more your foot moves around, the more difficult it will be to walk.
• Make sure the sole will protect you if you step on anything sharp. The primary purpose of your shoes is to protect your feet. If you wear a shoe with a thin, flimsy sole, and you step on something sharp like a tack or a nail, you could be seriously injured. Make sure the sole is thick enough and sturdy enough to keep anything from penetrating all the way through to your foot.

The right shoes should feel comfortable right away. Don’t buy shoes that pinch your feet or feel tight anywhere. There is no such thing as a “breaking in” period. Shoes should feel comfortable from the moment you leave the shop.

And Don’t Forget! Too much pain is a bad sign; take off your shoes and figure out why. If they don’t fit, no matter how much you like them, get rid of them. You only have one pair of feet, and shoes can be replaced.

At Medipod Clinics we always keep up to date with best Podiatry practice. Furthermore, we are always searching new ways to improve our service to you, and we listen to the feedback from our patients.  If you feel that you or your family will benefit from our expert advice and experience, we would be more than happy to help. Give us a call today on 01455 246100 to chat through your needs.

We offer a wide range of podiatric services, such as verruca treatments, ingrowing or fungal toenails management as well as gait analysis and provision of custom orthoses, so do not hesitate to ask for more information. With our in-depth knowledge and expertise, we can support you every step of your way by providing a highly professional service.

For more information about our standard podiatry treatment, ingrowing or fungal nails management, biomechanics service or verruca management, please contact us on 01455 246100.

We would love to help you with any issues you may be experiencing. Thank you for reading this month’s blog “Finding The Right Shoes – Top Tips”.

Faye Vogiatzoglou
www.medipodclinics.com

The post Finding The Right Shoes – Top Tips appeared first on Medipod Clinics.

Our soles are often hidden away and forgotten about but as the foundation of our bodies we need to pay more attention to them.

This blog will discuss flat feet: what they are, how they are caused and how you can identify whether you have them.

Flat feet are one of the most common complaints of people seeking foot treatment. Around 30% of people suffer from this complaint.

But what actually is it?

Flat feet, also called fallen arches, are very small or non-existent arches on the feet. Arches provide spring to the step and distribute bodyweight across feet and legs. Flat feet can cause overpronation, which is when the feet start to roll inwards. This can strain muscles and may lead to foot and ankle pain, which may also spread up to the hip. Patients may also experience stiffness, shin pain, muscle ache and an uneven body weight distribution which could cause shoes to wear down quickly.

There are several causes including:

• Genetics
• Naturally weak arches
• Foot and ankle injuries
• Arthritis
• Nervous system or muscle disease

How do you know if you have flat feet?

The easiest way of getting an idea of whether or not you have flat feet is to examine the sole of your foot when you’re standing up. If your whole foot in on the ground you likely have flat feet, but if part of your foot is raised you most likely do not.

Do not worry!

Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest man, has flat feet and that didn’t stop him from winning 3 straight Olympic Games! It can be treated in several ways and is not something that should worry you. Ensuring that you wear a well fitting, supportive shoe can help. Many people with this issue find it beneficial to strengthen the muscles in the lower legs.

What we can offer?

Our Medipod Clinics team is able to offer you advice on footwear and exercises that may reduce pain. Flat feet can be effectively treated with orthotics that provide biomechanical support and help feet function more effectively.

If you are experiencing any discomfort in your feet, we are more than happy to help. Give us a call today on 01455 246100 to chat through your needs.

We also offer treatments for tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, and toes turning in. With our expertise and experience, you will have full peace of mind when it comes to your foot health.

For more information about our range of treatments, please contact us on 01455 246100. We would love to help you with any foot health issues you may have.

Thank you for reading,

Faye Vogiatzoglou
medipodclinics.com

The post Flat Feet / Fallen Arches appeared first on Medipod Clinics.

So what parents should look out for when buying shoes for their children?

Look for shoes that:

• Have a stiff back. Grasp the heel in one hand and the shoe above the heel in the other hand. You should not be able to move the shoe side-to-side around the heel.
• Have a small amount of torque. Hold the shoe at both ends. You should be able to twist it slightly.
• Bend where your toes bend.
• Provide arch support. If the shoe does not have arch support, speak to a podiatrist especially if your child has a low arch.
• Are wide enough and long enough at the toes. It should not push the toes in or make them curl. Make sure have about 1cm space between the longest toe and the end of the shoe when the child is standing.
• Feel comfortable right away.
• Start rite shoes have an excellent guide to hep you check the fit of your children’s shoes https://www.startriteshoes.com/check-the-fit

How to choose the right shoes for your children’s feet

At Medipod Clinics we always keep up-to-date with best Podiatry practice. Furthermore, we are always searching new ways to improve our service to you and we listen to the feedback from our patients.

If you feel that you or your child will benefit from our expert advice and experience, we would be more than happy to help. Give us a call today on 01455 246100 to chat through your needs.

We offer a wide range of podiatric services, such as verruca treatments, ingrowing toenails management as well as gait analysis and provision of custom orthoses, so do not hesitate to ask for more information. With our in-depth knowledge and expertise, we can support you every step of your way by providing a highly professional service.

For more information about our standard podiatry treatment, paediatric treatments, biomechanics service or verruca management, please contact us on 01455 246100.

We would love to help you with any issues you may be experiencing.

Thank you for reading,
Faye Vogiatzoglou
http://www.medipodclinics.com

The post How to choose the right shoes for your children’s feet appeared first on Medipod Clinics.

However, there are a lot of reasons why flip-flops can cause damage to your feet. Below I have listed some interesting facts about flip-flops that you never knew!

5 reasons why flip-flops are bad for your feet

1. They Cause Bunions and Hammer Toes
   Bunions are painful, bony protrusions on your feet, usually right on the side of your foot below your big toe. Flip-flops are a major culprit because they create an unnaturally flat surface and force your ligaments and tendons to tug in the wrong spots and your toes to curl. When your toes curl to keep the flip-flops in place, the small muscles around your toes weaken, leading to hammer toes over time.
2. They don’t support your arches
   One of the biggest problems with flip-flops is that most of them have virtually zero arch support. Every foot has a bit of a natural arch to it in the middle. Shoes with arch support inside carry the weight of your foot and preserve the shape of your arch. Without arch support, your ligaments and tendons will start to tug in all the wrong directions to compensate. All that tugging on the ligaments translates to one thing: pain in your feet, which might trigger bunions, heel spurs, and plantar fasciitis.
3. They allow fungus to grow and fester and they cause blisters
   If your flip-flops have a soft foam base, you are very likely looking at fungus city, especially if you ever wear them in the water. You wear flip-flops to avoid catching fungus, but the fungus and bacteria get in anyway, and make a nice cosy home in the porous foam, and from there to your feet. To avoid this keep them dry and clean, and replace them often.
4. They are a common cause of tripping over and slow you down
   It is incredibly easy to trip and fall while wearing these floppy shoes. Any shoe that doesn’t fully stay on your foot is a recipe for twisted ankles, stubbed toes, and trip-and-fall accidents. Running / or even just walking in flip-flops will slow you right down, because it’s hard to keep them on your feet as you move. You have to continuously grip and re-grip them with your toes to make progress, which means that they can be a serious liability if you need to move fast.
5. They hurt your heels
   We all know the sound flip-flops make when you walk in them: “Slap-slap-slap.”
   That’s the sound of the soles hitting your heels, and your heels hitting the pavement, over and over again. Flip-flops basically force you to step in such a way that all your weight comes down hard on your heels. This makes your feet ache and the added pressure on the skin can also lead them to develop calluses and cracked skin.

Medipod Clinics – Flip-flop responsibility

I know it sounds all “doom and gloom”! As a podiatrist, I have the responsibility to inform you of what is appropriate for your feet so that you can make the right choice. Most of us have the luxury to buy loads of pairs of shoes over the years, but we only have one pair of feet!

If you don’t look after your feet, you may experience foot problems in the future such as, bunions, claw toes, heel pain, shin splints, tendinitis, fungal infections, ingrowing toenails, and many more.

Podiatrists at Medipod Clinics are trained to help you choose the right shoes for your feet. We understand how your foot works and we can also advise you about your children’s feet.

If you are already experiencing any foot pain, we are more than happy to help. Give us a call today on 01455 246100 to chat through your needs.

For more information about our podiatry services, please contact us on 01455 246100. We would love to help you with any foot related questions.

Thanks for reading,
Faye Vogiatzoglou
medipodclinics.com

The post Why flip-flops are bad for your feet appeared first on Medipod Clinics.