


“I’m actually not opposed to a child wearing Crocs as long as they are walking mechanically the right way and picking up their foot with each step,” Dr. Maybe the issue isn’t about the Croc itself, but when you introduce them as part of your child’s footwear that can cause the problem. And if you’re walking incorrectly, the problems can become more pronounced as you get older, even causing knee, hip and back pain. “This mobility does not give adequate support to the rear foot which can lead to flat arches and hyperpronation as they get older.” Over time, flat feet can cause common foot complaints such as plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, bunions and hammertoes - exactly what Crocs were created to prevent in the first place. “When kids wear Crocs, their heel is allowed to be excessively mobile because of the wide nature of the shoes and the loose strap around the heel,” Dr. Since Crocs are backless, they don’t provide enough support for the feet. Sounds great, right? But the problem is not necessarily with the front of the shoe (or even its appearance), but the rear. Ironically, Crocs are beneficial to people who already have foot problems, since their super wide front offers comfort and room for feet that have bone issues such as bunions and hammer toe. The lightweight shoe was supposed to be designed as a slip-on shoe for boating, since it boasts a nonslip tread and it’s also waterproof, WebMD reported.

Are Crocs okay for your kid’s feet? Or will wearing the clog-esque shoes damage her tootsies? Here’s what podiatrists want you to know about Crocs - the good, the bad, and the… well, you know.Ĭrocs came onto the fashion scene back in 2002. But a quick Google search might have you reconsider outfitting your kid in Crocs entirely. Call 87 for information or visit you might consider them a serious fashion statement (or a major fashion faux pas), there’s no getting around the popularity of Crocs. Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Ba圜are Clinic offers diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for bone, joint or connective tissue disorders. “If you’re going to be out and about doing lots of walking, wear more supportive sandals like Birkenstocks or fully-covered footwear.” “Slip them on for short periods of time,” DeVries says. potential long-term ramifications – experts say moderation is the key when it comes to wearing Crocs. No matter where you stand on the issue– immediate comfort vs. The foot has to work that much harder because the support offered by a closed shoe just isn’t there.” That often leads to twisted ankles, irritated feet and general overload. “While Crocs and other unsupportive shoes may feel good on the feet, allowing air to circulate and your feet to breathe, the danger lies in the fact that these forms of footwear offer little to no support.

DeVries frequently reminds patients about the dangers of flip-flops and other unsupportive footwear. Jason George DeVries, a foot and ankle surgeon with Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Ba圜are Clinic in Green Bay, Wisconsin, echoed those thoughts. The same thing can happen with flip-flops or any backless shoes as the heel is not secured.”ĭr. When the heel is unstable, toes tend to grip which can lead to tendonitis, worsening of toe deformities, nail problems, corns and calluses. but “these shoes do not adequately secure the heel. Megan Leahy, a Chicago-based podiatrist, told The Huffington Post. “Unfortunately, Crocs are not suitable for all-day use,” Dr. Even so, a growing number of experts are calling for moderation when wearing the Swiss cheese-esque footwear. Many Crocs wearers swear by their footwear’s comfortability. The short-term comfort you feel when wearing Crocs might cause you long-term damage, experts say.Ĭrocs, those popular rubber clogs, burst onto the scene in 2002., More than 300 million pairs have been sold in more than 90 countries.
