CHICAGO -- Walking in Crocs may leave you limping.
The rubbery clogs are a popular choice in summer months, and according to podiatrists, they do offer good arch support. But Crocs are not meant to be worn for extended periods.
"[T]hese shoes do not adequately secure the heel,” Dr. Megan Leahy of the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute in Chicago told the Huffington Post. “When the heel is unstable, toes tend to grip which can lead to tendinitis, worsening of toe deformities, nail problems, corns and calluses.”
Added Alex Kor, president of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, “[O]n a daily basis, I see patients who come into my office complaining of arch or heel pain and they are wearing Crocs.”
Crocs were originally started as a boating shoe back in 2002. The company now provides a wide array of multi-seasonal designs. The shoes are known for being soft and lightweight.
Here is a statement from a representative of the company:
A recent online posting quoting two podiatrists includes questions about potential foot health risks from wearing "Crocs" for prolonged periods of time. The post uses the brand name "Crocs" synonymously with any open-heeled and/or flexible footwear, such as sandals, flip-flops, slides, mules and clogs. The Crocs brand sells more than 200 styles of shoes, many of which are closed heel.
Crocs tests all of its products thoroughly for durability and safety before they are sold to consumers. Since the brand's inception in 2002, Crocs has sold more than 350 million pairs of shoes around the globe. In the days since the article's publication, we have been overwhelmed by the widespread, positive feedback about Crocs™ shoes from parents, health care professionals, athletes and office workers. For them, Crocs has added comfort to family outings, walking across town, and even standing for long periods of time in a hospital or restaurant setting. It is important to note that other podiatrists and nurses took time to post supportive comments about Crocs™ shoes under the original online posting.
