Apparently, Crocs---those colorful rubber clogs that are commonly derided as being tacky---are bad for your health, a researcher has recently found.
“Unfortunately, Crocs are not suitable for all-day use,” Dr. Megan Leahy, a Chicago-based podiatrist with the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute, told the Huffington Post this week.
She said Crocs can lead to a number of problems.
“These shoes do not adequately secure the heel. When the heel is unstable, toes tend to grip which can lead to tendinitis, worsening of toe deformities, nail problems, corns and calluses. The same thing can happen with flip-flops or any backless shoes as the heel is not secured,” she said.
Crocs, a brand that started in 2002, have sold more than 300 million pairs in 90 countries. Many people say that they’re quite comfortable.
Dr. Leahy added that the shoes, however, do provide “nice arch support.”
Dr Alex Kor, the president of the American Academy of Podiatry Sports Medicine, told the Post that Crocs are problematic.
He said, “Patients are more likely to have foot pain if their shoes bend in the shank.”
The most important feature in any shoe, he claimed, is the shank---the supportive structure between the toe and the heel.
He said, “Crocs are the ‘poster child’ for shoes with a flexible shank. ... In other words, on a daily basis, I see patients who come into my office complaining of arch or heel pain and they are wearing Crocs.”
“The only two types of patients that may benefit from wearing Crocs are patients that have a very high arch or those who suffer from excessive edema of their legs and ankle.”
