Good News for Shoes: Popular Crocs Brand Provides Health Benefits

Crocs are clog-like shoes that come in an array of vibrant colors. Since their emergence in 2002 they have been gaining in popularity in department stores across the nation. Fans of these shoes tout the brand's comfort and versatility, and with good reason - these shoes have been certified by the U.S. Ergonomics Council and the American Podiatric Medical Association.

The company has recently created a line of Crocs designated as Rx shoes, with the styles of shoes being named Croc Relief, Croc Cloud, and Croc Silver Cloud.

As quoted in the WebMD article, "Crocs: Healthy Shoes or Just Comfy", Crocs Vice President Lyndon V. Hanson, III says, "These shoes were designed specifically to eliminate plantar pain and achy feet. They also help people with injured feet, bunions, and diabetes. You've got a lot of inner support, heel cups and massaging heel nubs, and arch support. They're ideal for people with foot problems."

In this same article, Harold Glickman, DPM, former president of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), says this of the Crocs brand shoes: "These shoes are especially light. They have huge room in the toe that affords the front part of the foot lots of room, especially for people with bone deformities like bunions and hammer toe. With the Rx Crocs, they're lined with antibacterial material that will prevent fungal and bacterial infections."

Glickman adds, "I do not have stock in the company or work for the company, but I recommend them to patients all the time, and I wear them all the time. I wear them when I'm operating for three or four hours at a time and I get the sense I'm standing on water -- no leg pain, no back pain, and no arch pain."

As a substitute for a summer sandal, Crocs also get Glickman's approval. As quoted in the WebMD article, "Crocs offer more protection for your feet than flip-flops. Flip-flops don't provide a lot of arch support; they're open-toed so you can stub your toe and hurt yourself. Crocs offer more protection and comfort than that."

The shoe isn't for everyone, though. Bob Baravarian, MD, chief of foot and ankle surgery at Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center, tells WebMD, "Because the shoe is considered medical, it gets overused by people who need more support than they can get from the shoe. It's not as good as an orthotic or a medical type shoe; it's made out to be better than it is."

Baravarian continues, "It's a good shoe for going to the beach, kicking around the house, going to the corner market, but they're not made to be worn at Disneyland all day long."

While the jury is still out, there is at least some evidence backing the claim that Crocs have orthopedic benefits. Though they are not a substitute for a good orthotic, the popularity of Crocs can be attributed to their comfort, which comes from a supportive and ergonomic design.

Sources:

WebMD, Crocs: Healthy Shoes or Just Comfy?, http://diabetes.webmd.com/features/crocs-healthy-shoes-just-comfy?page=1