by Pamela Sosnowski

Created on: August 14, 2010

Flip-flop sandals are a popular fashion staple that shows no sign of going away anytime soon. They’re affordable, readily available everywhere, come in a variety of colors and styles, and can even be decorated with clip-on adornments. Their appeal has no age limits, as they’ve been sported on everyone from children to senior citizens. Unfortunately, their convenience also comes with a price: they can be very bad for your health.

Call it agony of the feet — and the ankles, heels and lower legs as well. A 2008 study conducted at Auburn University found that the lack of arch support and shock absorption in the pancake-flat sandals seriously affect the way their wearers walk in them. In order to keep them secured while walking, flip-flop wearers often unconsciously clench their toes, causing them to shuffle instead of taking normal strides. The result is muscle and joint pain throughout the feet and legs from the constant straining. The Auburn study also found that the toe thong on flip-flops can cause skin irritation and open sores from constantly rubbing against the skin.

The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons also reported that flip-flop wearers often experience an increase in heel pain. Flip-flops can contribute to plantar fasciitis, a condition where the tissue that connects the heels to the toes becomes inflamed. Poorly fitting footwear or footwear with no arch support is a contributing factor to plantar fasciitis and painful heel spurs.

Dr. Rock Positano, director of the Non-surgical Foot and Ankle Service at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, told NPR, "Unfortunately, these shoes have no significant orthopedic support for the foot and the ankle. If the shock is not absorbed appropriately from the ground — it gets transmitted to other parts of the body. So what'll happen — it'll start as a foot issue, and then it will go to the lower leg, the hip, the knee, (and) the back."

The wide exposure to the outside environment that flip-flops provide to feet also makes them more susceptible to physical injury, bacteria and skin cancer. They offer no protection against toe stubs, falling objects, or another person’s wayward foot making its way towards yours. Their thin soles are also easily penetrated if the wearer steps on something sharp. Doctors also warn that exposed skin on the feet can develop nasty infections from walking in areas that contain high amounts of pathogens or bacteria. Testing conducted

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