Although you'd never have guessed from the weather, summer is here! At this time of year patients often ask me to deal with foot and lower leg problems. But why do the summer months produce so many problems from the knee down? The answer is often related to the shoes people wear when the sun is out, and most particularly that demon of all foot wear....the flip-flop!
But why should such an apparently innocuous piece of summer apparel cause such misery? In short, from a bio-mechanical point of view, there is not much to say about a flip-flop that is positive. Wearing flip-flops changes your walking gait, inhibiting the muscles that you use to flex your ankle and toes upwards. This can lead to them becoming weak and a subsequent shortening of the muscles at the back of the calf and under the foot, further compromising foot and ankle function, and the muscles that curl your toes down may become over dominant. Most flip-flops also lack any support in the shape of the sole, adding to the problems of any one with a tendency to flat feet or over pronation. All of this can lead to foot, ankle and knee problems. In some people poor footwear can also lead to back pain.
However all is not lost. At Lewisham Osteopathic Practice you can get a thorough biomechanical examination, and advise as to what type of shoe is best for you. We can provide you with orthotics, exercises and hands-on treatment to resolve these problems. There are plenty of summer sandals that are also good shoes. Look for sandals that have straps which attach to your heel and fore foot to the shoe (so that you don't have to grip with your toes), and have a well-shaped sole to support the shape of the foot.
Enjoy the sun!