How To Look After your Lower Legs This Sandal Season
It finally feels like summer is on its way! Slipping on a pair of slides or flipflops is undeniably convenient and stylish, but they may cause you some issues. Here are a few conditions to look out for that are frequently associated with this particular type of footwear:
Plantar Fasciitis & Overpronation: Most traditional sandals have completely flat soles. The lack of contour can cause your arches to collapse and your feet to roll inward resulting in considerable strain through your arches and ankles.
Tendonitis: Because there is often no back strap holding the shoe to your foot, your toes are forced to constantly grip to keep the shoe on. This repetitive strain on the muscles and tendons in your feet can cause conditions such as tendonitis.
Shin Splints: The characteristically thin soles on sandals offer almost no shock absorption. This means that your feet and lower leg bear the brunt of the shock instead. When this shock is repeated over thousands of steps, it can begin to cause greater issues.
But we are absolutely not telling you to throw your sandals in the bin. Instead, it is all about choosing the right shoe for the right activity. Sandals are perfectly fine for low-activity tasks like walking around the backyard, heading to and from the car at the beach, or relaxing by the pool. However, if you are planning a long walk, a day of sightseeing, or standing for long periods, your feet will thank you for opting for a more supportive sneaker or a contoured sandal with a back strap.
To further mitigate the risk of these issues arising for you this summer it is best to be proactive. In the video below Katie has demonstrated a few exercises you can do to strengthen the muscles in your feet, ankles, and lower legs. If these muscles are strong, they will be able to handle the occasional lack of shoe support.
If you experiencing any of these issues and would like a professional opinion, our clinicians are ready to help.