Fit Flop Sandal
A great option for anyone with bunions...
Patients with bunions are always challenged when it comes to finding comfortable shoes. They need a shoe that is protective and biomechanically controls the foot so that the bunion formation does not progress. They also need a shoe that does not apply pressure to the bunion, which can result it increased pain as well as
enlargement of the bunion. Patients who suffer with plantar fasciitis (heel pain) will also benefit from the shock absorption that this sandal provides.
What makes this sandal excellent is the thick, rigid sole that provides protection to the foot joints but is also is cushy enough to provide shock absorption. Although the sandal lacks forefoot strapping - it makes up for it with good midfoot and rearfoot strapping for more biomechanical control and, best of all, there is no pressure on the bunions or toes.
I would highly recommend that you make sure that any Fit Flop that you purchase is a sandal with rearfoot strapping and not the Fip Flop with no rearfoot strapping. It makes a huge difference in comfort! Without rearfoot straps, you are forcing your toes to grip down to stay in the flip-flop, which aggravates forefoot issues such as hammertoes, bunions, calluses and metatarsalgia. It also forces your tendons, muscles and joints including your knees, hips and lower back to work harder to stay in the shoe, which causes more biomechanical pain and 'tired leg syndrome'.
To stop or slow the progression of bunions, it is imperative that you wear shoes with a thick, rigid sole, a wide soft toebox and shoes with some type of forefoot (if possible), midfoot and rearfoot biomechanical control. It's optimal to wear custom-molded orthotics and, although this sandal does not accommodate orthotics, the Fit Flop Sandal is an excellent choice.
This Shoe is Recommended for Patients with:
*Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)
*Bunions
*Hammertoes
*Tailor's Bunions
*Metatarsalgia
*Capsulitis
*Mild Achilles Tendonitis
*Mild Tendonitis
*Corns and Calluses
*Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint)
*Hallux Rigidus
*Osteoarthritis
*Rheumatoid Arthritis
*Ingrown Toenails
*Morton's Neuroma
*Fibromyalgia
*Mild Knee, Hip and Lower Back Pain
This Shoe is NOT Recommended for Patients with:
*Charcot Foot
*Patients with a history of Ulcerations or Open Sores
*Diabetics
*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)
*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage
*Hypermobility
*Severe Overpronation
*Avascular Necrosis
Have a lovely day!
Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy
:)
What do you think of the Orthaheel Julie Slide w/ Strap for someone who wants a low heel sandal with arch support?
ReplyDeleteHi Dying4chocolate,
ReplyDeleteIt's not horrible - but it's not fabulous. The Orthoheel Julie slide with strap is much better than a Orthoheel flip flop because it does have rearfoot control but my concern is that the straps are pretty skimpy. I'd have to give it a grade C, which is passing but - there are better options for comfortable cute sandals.
Hope all is well and thanks for reading!
Cathy
:)
Hi Doctor,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your blog. I have learned so much from reading it. I have fat pad atrophy in the ball of my foot and heel, I was thinking of trying this shoe with a met pad and a thin spenco. I have a really hard time finding sandals or any shoes that do not hurt my feet even with my orthotics. I never go barefoot, not even in the shower. Too painful. Would this sandal be a good choice for me? Thanks again!
Hi Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteTry a 'Fit Flop Sandal' with more strapping in the forefoot and midfoot area. I think that would be more comfortable for you and would accommodate the spenco and met pad better. If you google it, you should come up with lots of options on the Fit Flop Sandal - just make sure it has a rearfoot strap. Also, try the RX Crocs clog with fleece lining - they are very comfortable and the fleece lining provides more cushion. Please let me know how it works for you...
Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
Cathy
:)
Hi Doctor, thank you for your reply. I tried two fit flops with heel straps and forefoot straps. Sandals were still too hard . The toe and the heel are much softer than under the arch. I have had good luck with the keen h2 and rose sandal. I add a spenco and a met pad. Sadly the shoes are very very casual. Look great when I am kayaking but not with a dress. Have not tried fleece crocks yet. I did not have good luck with the Rx fit was weird and I have to put spenco in because the nubs hurt my feet. I wear my running shoes and orthotics even as slippers. In the shower I use spenco sandals . Thanks again for the response and your blog. It is so helpful! A.B.
ReplyDeleteHi Doctor ,
ReplyDeleteI actually meant that under the toe and heel it is much firmer than under the arch of the fit flop . Which makes it too hard for me even with spenco. : (
Thanks again, A. B.
Thank you so much! Also, my father is required to wear heavy-duty work boots everyday (lace up,steel toe, etc). He has flat feet but complains that after about 2 hours he feels as though he is walking on wood. I want to get him a good quality pair of inserts. They will definitely have a cupped heel but I don't know if I should get him ones that have more cushion or ones that are more rigid (like the moldable versions Spenco offers).
ReplyDeleteI would love to know your thoughts on this. You have helped me overcome years of pain with just a few blog entries!
Thank you for your blog. I have learned so much from reading it. I have fat pad atrophy in the ball of my foot and heel, I was thinking of trying this shoe with a met pad and a thin spenco. I have a really hard time finding sandals or any shoes that do not hurt my feet even with my orthotics.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading!
ReplyDeleteIf you have any suggestions of things that worked for you for fat pad atrophy, I would love to hear about them.
Cathy
:)
Hi,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your blog I guess whatever suggestions given everyone should try.online shopping in India cash on delivery I went through all blogs the suggestions seem quite effective and would really vanish pain completely.
Hey Doctor:
ReplyDeleteI have been doing some research on the subject as I think I need ingrown toenail surgery. I was reading a website called:
The Ingrown Toenail Surgery Guide and it discussed the Vandenbos procedure. What are your thoughts on the Vandenbos and its angle of treating overgrown skin as opposed to ingrown toenails?
Hi Michigan Guy,
ReplyDeleteI don't do the Vanderbos procedure so I don't have any personal opinion resulting from expereince from performing the procedure, but I will say that it looks like the excessive soft tissue excision would most likely result in increased pain, increased risk of scarring (keloids) and increased down time.
I like the Phenol & Alcohol procedure and have had excellent success with it. There is a 90% chance that the toenail will not grow back and patients are able to leave the office with bandaids and wearing their own shoes. There is a two week wound care regimen, but patients are back to normal activities within a day or two with and report minimal pain and discomfort.
I, personally, would opt for the P&A. Talk to your Pod about what is best for you!
Dr. McCarthy
:)