Take a step in the precise direction together with your feet this summer.
One podiatrist shared warm-weather shoes he doesn’t recommend because they will result in injury – and flip-flops are at the highest of his blacklist.
Singaporean foot doctor Paul Macaulay, higher generally known as @paulthepodiatrist on TikTok warns viewers against wearing ultra-flat flip-flops.
“We now have a big problem here in Asia that everybody wears flip-flops on a regular basis, unfortunately some people aren’t strong enough and fit enough to try this,” Macaulay said in an email to The Post on Saturday.
“Biomechanical imbalance results in overuse injuries corresponding to plantar fasciitis and posterior tibial tendinitis.”
![Paul Macaulay on TikTok](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000013436869.jpg)
![Photo of rainbow flip flops on TikTok](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000013436865.jpg)
Odd sandals not only lack proper arch support but additionally safety, Macaulay said clip online.
“Your foot probably desires to grab it,” he said, pointing to the shoe.
“For some people, they’re worn for a very long time for a few years and the toes can begin to stiffen and scratch, after which it could possibly be difficult to reverse it,” he added, showing a photo of a foot with a curled toe.
clawed toein keeping with the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, it is often attributable to wearing shoes that pinch the toes or don’t provide adequate support.
Wearing shoes with an additional heel strap is one technique to prevent the disorder, said Macaulay, who boasts greater than 17,700 followers on the app.
“This may provide more stability to the ankle and keep the foot in place,” he explained. “Or you may even select a style that has a strap that goes through the front to carry your foot in place.”
![Cracked feet on tiktok](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000013436870.jpg)
Safety – or reasonably the dearth of it – is one other problem with flip-flops.
People whose mobility is not good, Macaulay told The Post, are vulnerable to tripping and falling in the event that they wear loose flip-flops.
And for individuals with diabetes, Macaulay said, flip flops make the feet too dry, resulting in cracked heels in some cases.
“Diabetics, especially type 2 … often suffer from conditions corresponding to neuropathy, where they can not feel their feet,” Macaulay explained.
“It is easy to chop your foot when wearing flip-flops, and this can result in a greater problem, corresponding to an infected wound that may result in amputation if not properly treated.”
![Soft slip-on shoes](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000013436867.jpg)
![Heels](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000013436866.jpg)
In subsequent videos, Macaulay describes one of the best women’s summer shoes and shoes he would never wear as a podiatrist: slip-on loafers, high heels, ballet flats, soft slip-on knives and, in fact, flip-flops.
“Flip-flops are wonderful in the event that they’re worn for the actual activity, in the event that they’re just from the automotive to the beach or for a walk on the beach, they’re wonderful. Just wearing them to walk 5-10,000 steps would not be really helpful as they haven’t got support,” Macaulay told The Post.
“Personally, I feel the slip-on style is higher, with built-in arch support. An ideal American brand is OOFOS, they’re great at stopping heel and forefoot pain.”