Many patients like to work with crocs. They can be comfortable and have many shapes and styles. Whether you need something gentle on the foot, something to just wear around the home, or a good option after surgery, there are many reasons to wear a pair of crocs and love them a lot.
If you are suffering from plantar fasciitis though, you may wonder whether a pair of crocs is right for you and whether they can help with your plantar fasciitis or if they can make them worse overall.
Let’s take a closer look at crocs and discover whether this type of shoe is good or bad for your plantar fasciitis.
Benefits of Crocs for Plantar Fasciitis
There are some times when you will be able to wear crocs to help out with your plantar fasciitis.
These shoes may seem simple, but they do have a few features that will be great for your feet when suffering from flat feet and other conditions. Some of the benefits of choosing a pair of crocs for your plantar fasciitis include:
The Arch Support Of Crocs
If you are suffering from plantar fasciitis, you will find that having sufficient arch support is one of the best things for your feet. Many times this condition starts because the patient goes with unsupportive footwear.
Without a good arch support in place, you will find the tendon will stretch more and you will be in more pain. Since you may spend a good deal of time walking on hard surfaces or standing all day long, you may need a bit of arch support to protect the feet and make them feel better.
When plantar fasciitis starts to become a problem for you, a good pair of arches will make all the difference. Crocs can be a great option because they provide comfort and arch support.
The Crocs’ Stiff Sole
When you suffer from plantar fasciitis, you need to ensure you pick out a shoe that has a stiff sole on the bottom. If you are walking around, you do not want the sole to flex or curl at all.
It is easy to assume you would want to go with a padded sole, but this can make the issue worse. When you pick a sole that is more padded while suffering from plantar fasciitis, it can cause foot and leg aches, weariness, and tension.
The good news is that crocs are going to have the firm and strong bottoms you need, while still providing a good amount of padding in the footbed when you walk. This combination will be so good for your feet.
Crocs Reinforcing the Heels
When you have plantar fasciitis, it is a good idea to pick out a pair of shoes that will provide reinforcements to the heel. This will help to give some of the relief to the tendon that it needs to stop the stretching and make it feel better.
Crocs will provide help in the area of the heel to keep you supported and stable.
Some varieties of crocs will do better at this than others. For example, the Neria Pro will be able to provide the best heel support compared to basic crocs on the market.
Cushioning in the Footbed by Crocs
When you add some padding into the midfoot area of the croc, you will find that it will lessen the shock when you walk as well as provide the cushion you need. Just slipping on the crocs will help you see that there is a good deal of cushioning all over, giving the plantar fascia some relief.
Throughout the bottom of the croc, you will find that there is cushioning in all parts of the foot. The foam cushion will be comfortable and can relieve some of the pressure you feel all around the foot. No matter how much pain you feel, crocs provide the cushioning you need.
Shock Absorbent Crocs
When you take a step, you will find that there can be a good deal of shock that will travel up the length of your lower body. If you are dealing with plantar fasciitis, you will find that the arches do not provide the amount of support you need, and the shock you take on while walking will get worse and can cause problems in other parts of the body as well.
When you suffer from plantar fasciitis, you need to pick out footwear that can help absorb as much of this pressure as possible. This can reduce the stress you feel on the feet and safeguard the ligament of the plantar fascia. Crocs will provide all of that support and help you need, reducing the impact of walking and making you feel safer when you are up.
Negatives and Risks of Crocs for Plantar Fasciitis
Now that we have taken the time to look at all of the benefits that come with wearing crocs for plantar fasciitis, it is essential to remember that there are some risks and these shoes are not going to work for everyone. For example, you should never wear crocs for a long walk, a big hike, or as athletic wear.
You should only wear these shoes when you are going to walk or stand for a long time. If you need to do something more intensive, you should consider custom orthotics and add them to a good pair of athletic shoes to help you out with it.
It is also a good idea for you to stay away from some of the popular fashion crocs. These are not the same thing, and many of them will lack some of the comfort you need, can become less rigid when you use them, have less padding in them, and will sometimes be narrow, which can cause other problems in the feet.
If you have a pair of fashionable crocs you would like to wear, you may find that some of them are not going to be the best for you to use with plantar fasciitis. They may not have the right arch support or the soles will not work. There are a few steps you can take to ensure you can still use your crocs.
There are a few heel seat wraps and other choices you can add in as well. These can be worn on their own or you can slip them on before adding the crocs to help as well. You can pick out a pair that is right for your feet to help with the alignment and support to ensure your plantar fasciitis will not get out of hand.
Should I Wear Crocs for My Plantar Fasciitis?
Crocs are a great pair of shoes you can wear if you have plantar fasciitis and you would like to get some of the relief your feet deserve. You do need to be careful and ensure you pick out a pair of crocs that are not only comfortable, but also provide heel support, arch support, and all of the good cushioning your feet will need.
Choosing the Appropriate Footwear for Plantar Fasciitis
If you are worried about the effects of plantar fasciitis, it is a good idea to talk with your doctor to check into the condition and ensure you are picking out a pair of shoes that will not only fit but will not make the plantar fasciitis worse.
You can take our free online analysis here to help narrow down what kind of custom orthotic is best for your crocs if you have plantar fasciitis. No matter the type of foot condition you are dealing with right now, our team is here to provide some of the help and support you need.
We understand how important your feet are and we want to ensure they stay strong and will not end up in more pain and discomfort than before. Order your first pair today and see how we can provide the support you need.