They'll Send You Flying!

New York Daily News—New York—July 27, 2006

Wearing flip-flops is much more treacherous than you ever could have imagined. From muscle strain to foot fungus to sandal-related tumbles, the flop is emerging as summer’s secret enemy.

“We are seeing more and more cases of flip-flop tendinitis by the day,” says Rock Positano, DPM, MSc, MPH director of the Non-surgical Foot and Ankle Service at Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. “The problem is that the flip-flop offers no support to the foot, ankle, lower legs or knees, so we’re seeing a lot of ankle and knee problems.”

“It’s misleading,” Positano tells us. “Flip-flops are doing just as much damage as the high heel. They’re fine for standing around a BBQ or going to dinner, but you just should not be walking long distances in them.”

Then there’s the social embarrassment of falling in your flops.

“Because the flip-flop offers no support, your balance is thrown off and your body isn’t able to detect uneven surfaces,” Positano warns.

If you’re still tempted to give the sinister sandals another shot, take a good look at a New York City sidewalk. All that dirt and grime will easily coat your foot while you plod around.

“There is always a greater risk of contracting bacterial and fungal infections when the feel are exposed,” says Positano. “People who have open cuts, blisters, etc., should not wear an open shoe because of increased risk of infection.”

Learn more about the Non-surgical Foot and Ankle Service.

This article originally appeared in the New York Daily News.