There’s a lot to say about Crocs. People tend to have strong opinions on their colorful and unique designs. You either hate them or love them. However, if you suffer for plantar fasciitis, foot comfort comes before fashion. You just want the pain to stop and you’ll consider any shoe that will offer relief. Are Crocs good for plantar fasciitis?
The answer is yes, Crocs are excellent for plantar fasciitis. However, A combination of treatment strategies might be the best option. Be sure to check in with a doctor every so often. If the pain does not go away, there are alternative treatment options. Some of these might be more effective and many of them are either covered by your healthcare or are fairly inexpensive. Crocs, of course, are fairly inexpensive (ignore the naysayers) when compared to medications, surgery and health equipment and are easily available, so you might want to start with them.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
To put it succinctly, this is the inflammation of the plantar fascia. This particular ligament is at the bottom of each of your feet. It connects the heel to the forefoot. The plantar fascia starts at the ball of the forefoot and goes along the bottom of your foot. It narrows as it gets to the end at the heel. It supports the arch of your foot and helps absorb shocks as you move.
As with all elements of your body, the plantar fascia can be torn, inflamed or irritated. There are a tremendous amount of causes. These include things like poor foot placement, stress on the feet, inadequate footwear and too much exercise. Some professions (such as restaurant and retail workers) have to be on their feet the whole day so they are especially vulnerable. There are also sections of the population that are particularly affected. These include those that have obesity, diabetes and people over the age of 40. If you’re at-risk, it would be helpful to do your best to reduce risk.
What does it feel like?
Plantar fasciitis is distinctive for having stabbing pain near the heel. This pain can be unbearable. It can be hard to work or even walk. Sometimes, those affected just want to sit or lie down.
How can it be treated?
If you have plantar fasciitis, there are a number of things you can do. Try resting or stretching and strengthening your feet. Ice can help, however this will only help you temporarily.
Having a healthy weight is very important. This is because obesity increases the amount of stress on your feet. Being at a regular weight will relieve pressure. Most people with obesity have had failed experiences with dieting. But having a condition like plantar fasciitis might change their mind. Since it’s so painful, it might provide the determination and persistence required to successfully lose weight. In a way, it might be a blessing in disguise. There are numerous other benefits to being at a healthy weight.
Quite interestingly, one of the most important forms of treatment is the right type of footwear. In fact, some studies have shown that 14 percent of people with this issue get better by just changing their shoes. Sometimes, people buy poorly fitting shoes. Others wear Sandals too much. All shoes have a lifespan and you shouldn’t wear your shoes if they’re worn out.
Other options include night splints, shock wave therapy, steroid injections, ultrasonic tissue repair and even surgery. Definitely be in contact with a medical professional to see all of your options. Sometimes plantar fasciitis isn’t that bothersome but if it gets worse or even unbearable you should be in contact with a doctor. It should probably be a specialist. It’d be great if buying a widely-available shoe like Crocs fixes the problem but unfortunately that’s not everyone.
Crocs Make a Great Choice
Crocs make a great choice for many reasons just due to their design. Quite simply, Crocs have legendary comfort. They’re made of a foam resin known as croslite. That’s what made them popular in the fist place.
They have good arch support. Unsupportive footwear is one of the primary causes of this condition. Rigid soles are also a plus as you need your sole not to bend while you walk. Cushioning without support isn’t always a good thing. So you get two big things – cushioning and arch support. These are great for your plantar fascia. Hopefully, your ligament will heal over time and you can go back to wearing your other footwear again. However, you might love your Crocs so much that you’ll continue to wear them.
They’re also not that expensive. While it might seem costly compared to something like sandals, Crocs are no pricier than the typical cost of a shoe. This is important as some types of specialist shoes can be costly.
Design-wise, Crocs are good. Some types of medical shoes are very bulky and are very unfashionable. Crocs are popular globally and you can wear them everywhere.
Some people will like that Crocs are non-slip. This makes them much safer to walk around in. For some workplace environments, this is a plus.
Not Always the Best Choice
Crocs have a lot going for them. They’re lightweight and breathable. These are huge pluses, especially in the summertime. However, they’re not meant to be running shoes and would be poor to use if you want to walk long distances. If you need to do these activities for work, another choice of footwear might be better. Check with your supervisors or co-workers.
Fashion crocs also might make a poor choice. They might look more in style, but they’re thinner and have less cushioning. They also typically have less arch support. These are very important features to have for someone with plantar fasciitis. Ignore your fashion sensibilities on this one and go with a normal pair of crocs. Your feet will appreciate it.
Additionally, some environments have banned Crocs. These include some schools.
Crocs often make a great choice for those with plantar fasciitis. They also have other benefits. Those with the condition should strongly consider them.
