A Dumbarton man named Ronnie McCuaig recently completed the last 54 miles of the 96-mile West Highland Way with flip flops on his feet. He had just overcome cancer, and he wanted to hike the trail as a way of celebrating. But one of his toes got infected right before he was supposed to start, making it too painful for him to wear hiking boots.

McCuaig switched to a pair of sneakers, but after he got caught in a rainstorm they became unusable too. The only other shoes he had were flip flops. He put them on and wore them all the way to the end of the trail. The Mountaineering Council congratulated him for finishing but warned against the dangers of hiking in sandals.

Walking for long distances in flip flops can often cause serious foot and ankle problems. For help dealing with a flip flop-related lower extremity injury, talk to podiatrist Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff, DPM of Lake Worth Podiatry. Dr. Lapoff can examine your feet and get you an effective form of treatment for your condition.

Flip-Flops and Feet
When the weather starts warming up, people enjoy wearing flip-flops.  Flip-flops are comfortable, stylish, and easy to slip on and off, perfect for any summer beach goer.  However, these shoes can cause harm to the feet.

How Can Flip-Flops Affect Me Long-Term?

• Ankle problems
• Hip problems
• Lower back problems
• Pain in the balls of the feet
• Problems with foot arches
• Changes in the way you walk

Are there injuries associated with flip-flops?
Yes.  Since flip-flops are relatively weak and do not provide the same amount of support as sneakers, people who wear flip-flops are more susceptible to injuries. On top of that, the open nature of the shoe makes your feet more prone to other problems, such as cuts and even infections.  Common injuries and ailments include:

• Sprained ankles
• Blisters
• Infections
• Cuts and Scrapes

I like wearing flip-flops, are there safe alternatives?
When buying flip-flops, try to find ones that have sturdy soles and are made of high quality materials that will support for your feet. 

For more information about Flip Flops and Your Feet, follow the link below.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot ankle injuries.

Read more about Flip Flops and Your Feet