William H. (Bill) Barham
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This should answer some of the questions and concerns a few of you had in the last posting.
Remember, all of this pertains to real, original Crocs, not the $5.00 Walmart or K.Mart models.
Crocs: Healthy Shoes or Just Comfy? Do those eye-catching shoes have a place in good foot care? Doctors and consumers share their views. From WebMd.
Crocs -- those clog-like shoes in bright colors -- are an up-and-coming trend on the feet of Americans. The shoe might not match everyone's idea of fashion, but fans swear by its comfort. And Croc lovers say they bring health benefits to the two extremities that carry us all the places we go.
Are Crocs really good for our feet? Or is this footwear phenom just a passing fad? WebMD got some feedback from doctors, consumers, and the shoe's creators.
A History of the Croc
Born in 2002, the shoe was initially intended as footwear for boating, with its nonslip tread and waterproof tendencies.
"The product was originally produced in Canada in clog-form," says co-founder Lyndon V. Hanson, III, vice president of Crocs. "We added a strap for utility, and gave it some flair."
Crocs are certified by the U.S. Ergonomics Council and the American Podiatric Medical Association. Hanson says that what Crocs lack in aesthetic value, they make up in therapeutic benefits. The company created what it calls an Rx line of models specifically with healthy feet in mind: Croc Relief, Croc Cloud, and Croc Silver Cloud.
"These shoes were designed specifically to eliminate plantar pain and achy feet," says Hanson. "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."
Crocs in the Clinic
Some doctors are even recommending them to patients with foot problems.
"These shoes are especially light," says Harold Glickman, DPM, former president of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). "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."
For people with diabetes, Crocs offer added value in the protection they provide. Because people with diabetes have reduced circulation in their feet, Glickman says, they're at higher risk for open sores and wound infection. The spare room and antibacterial properties of Crocs help combat these problems.
"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," Glickman tells WebMD. "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."
When the temperature starts to rise and flip-flops abound, Glickman also recommends trying Crocs instead.
"Crocs offer more protection for your feet than flip-flops," says Glickman. "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."
Professional Skepticism
Crocs have the official seal of approval from the APMA, meaning the shoes have been found to be beneficial in promoting good foot and ankle care. But not all doctors have signed on to the medical value of the shoes.
"They are very light weight and are good for people who have trouble walking," says Bob Baravarian, MD, chief of foot and ankle surgery at Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center. "They are very stable, they don't bend and twist side to side much, and they have a good heel cup and arch contour compared to other shoes."
Baravarian says Crocs have more positive attributes than negative, but t
Remember, all of this pertains to real, original Crocs, not the $5.00 Walmart or K.Mart models.
Crocs: Healthy Shoes or Just Comfy? Do those eye-catching shoes have a place in good foot care? Doctors and consumers share their views. From WebMd.
Crocs -- those clog-like shoes in bright colors -- are an up-and-coming trend on the feet of Americans. The shoe might not match everyone's idea of fashion, but fans swear by its comfort. And Croc lovers say they bring health benefits to the two extremities that carry us all the places we go.
Are Crocs really good for our feet? Or is this footwear phenom just a passing fad? WebMD got some feedback from doctors, consumers, and the shoe's creators.
A History of the Croc
Born in 2002, the shoe was initially intended as footwear for boating, with its nonslip tread and waterproof tendencies.
"The product was originally produced in Canada in clog-form," says co-founder Lyndon V. Hanson, III, vice president of Crocs. "We added a strap for utility, and gave it some flair."
Crocs are certified by the U.S. Ergonomics Council and the American Podiatric Medical Association. Hanson says that what Crocs lack in aesthetic value, they make up in therapeutic benefits. The company created what it calls an Rx line of models specifically with healthy feet in mind: Croc Relief, Croc Cloud, and Croc Silver Cloud.
"These shoes were designed specifically to eliminate plantar pain and achy feet," says Hanson. "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."
Crocs in the Clinic
Some doctors are even recommending them to patients with foot problems.
"These shoes are especially light," says Harold Glickman, DPM, former president of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). "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."
For people with diabetes, Crocs offer added value in the protection they provide. Because people with diabetes have reduced circulation in their feet, Glickman says, they're at higher risk for open sores and wound infection. The spare room and antibacterial properties of Crocs help combat these problems.
"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," Glickman tells WebMD. "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."
When the temperature starts to rise and flip-flops abound, Glickman also recommends trying Crocs instead.
"Crocs offer more protection for your feet than flip-flops," says Glickman. "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."
Professional Skepticism
Crocs have the official seal of approval from the APMA, meaning the shoes have been found to be beneficial in promoting good foot and ankle care. But not all doctors have signed on to the medical value of the shoes.
"They are very light weight and are good for people who have trouble walking," says Bob Baravarian, MD, chief of foot and ankle surgery at Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center. "They are very stable, they don't bend and twist side to side much, and they have a good heel cup and arch contour compared to other shoes."
Baravarian says Crocs have more positive attributes than negative, but t
