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Reasons why orthopedists do not recommend wearing flip-flops
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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Flip-flops, as it turns out, can indeed become one of the causes of pain and injury if worn for a long time: when walking on concrete, asphalt, and also during sports. The thing is that flip-flops cannot provide support for the arch of the foot, and do not cover the foot to the proper extent. And for this reason, orthopedists at the Sinai School of Medicine in New York (USA) do not recommend wearing these shoes all the time.
Doctors have described some potential health problems that are directly related to such footwear. When a person wears flip-flops, they automatically squeeze their toes to keep the shoe in place.
The same effect leads to compression of a certain group of muscles and becomes one of the causes of tension in the ankles, hips, legs and back. In addition, passionate lovers of such shoes have a risk of earning themselves a disease called plantar fasciitis, as well as problems related to the field of neuralgia.
The lack of cushioning in flip-flops can also be the main cause of pain in the feet, hips, shins and back. The most common injuries include broken toes and nails, cuts and various infectious diseases. Also, those who regularly wear flip-flops are advised to always apply sunscreen to their feet.
For those who cannot imagine their life without flip-flops, orthopedists recommend the following: firstly, shoes should be purchased only from high-quality leather. This factor will help to avoid various irritations and rubbing. Before buying, you should try to bend the flip-flop carefully. It simply should not fold in half.
Secondly, the feet should not hang over the edges of the flip-flops. It is also recommended to buy a new pair of flip-flops every year, especially if the old ones have already “outlived their usefulness” and leave much to be desired. Do not ignore the irritation that has appeared between the toes from wearing flip-flops for a long time. This irritation can lead to the progression of an infectious disease. It is also not recommended to wear flip-flops over long distances and during sports hours, because there are special sports shoes for this purpose.