Many children wear Crocs, but are they harmful for young feet?

Crocs are soft, water-repellant shoes popular among kids; however, some podiatrists caution them should be replaced by more durable footwear from time to time.
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Crocs shoes have quickly become one of the hottest fashion statements among kids and adolescents (and, frankly, some adults as we approach fall), becoming a fashion must-have among youngsters and their peers alike. But are they bad for developing feet? Dr. Priya Parthasarathy of Silver Spring, Maryland and spokesperson of the American Podiatric Medical Association is of two minds on this particular matter: as a parent to three, Crocs may provide some relief during certain activities like trips to the pool or beach and when trying to leave the house independently (her 3-year-old can put them on all by herself!). On one hand she notes how essential Crocs can be as an aid. On the other hand she emphasizes their benefits during certain instances like pool or beach visits: they help when trying to leave or exiting home quickly.”
There was once an old saying which read “Don’t worry, be happy”. Now when it comes to our daily lives and all their particular complexities – “If only everyone were more careful!” – then all those years haven’t gone downhill as expected and all we get for our trouble is more confusion, less harmony between parties involved, less trust etc…
As a podiatrist who treats many children and teens, she’s witnessing issues stemming from wearing Crocs all day, every day: heel pain, arch pain and more hammer toes because you have to grip them to keep them on; these pressure points overwork toes which result in heel pain for these patients, according to she says.
Parthasarathy is among many foot and ankle specialists who have issued warnings online against wearing Crocs as all-day footwear, due to the latter’s lack of stability and other issues. Kids often skip using heel straps when wearing these slides as slides instead. She says they also lack arch support, don’t wick away moisture well and may eventually lead to blisters over time. She has seen children sustain foot injuries as the wide soles of their Crocs have come off unexpectedly, since these footwear styles don’t grip feet as effectively as, say, sneaker styles would. Crocs has provided NPR with a statement asserting their shoes are designed for everyday comfort, with easy on/off design making them great choices for children. There have been no substantiated health implications associated with our products.”
There have been some significant advances in medicine over time. If a condition were to arise that required hospitalisation for example a heart condition then treatment can only come about from within, giving rise to increased inflammation within an organ and more importantly an overall reduction of its capacity to perform its intended task of protecting us against diseases associated with ageing such as Alzheimers.
Parthasarathy doesn’t know of any published data related to Crocs and children; she bases her observations as both doctor and mother. Crocs may or may not fit perfectly, but wearing shoes that are too loose could result in subtle shifts to your gait and how weight distribution occurs, according to Dr. Amiethab Aiyer of Johns Hopkins University Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Specialist. Over time, these changes can cause strain to both feet and ankles as well as to the rest of the body. “Though it might sound silly at times, all these aspects are connected,” Aiyer notes. But Aiyer does not condemn Crocs outright – his kids wear them too! “Using Crocs can be great; many find them comfortable – yet excessive use may have consequences,” Aiyer states. Using them only as part of your shoewear wardrobe could have negative repercussions down the line; moderation should always be maintained when choosing footwear options, Aiyer advises.
However, they also allow their fans to see them for real. So here comes another point. If the whole family were out together with you..!…what would happen?!
Parthasarathy stresses the importance of children wearing sturdy footwear when running around, particularly toddlers who are still learning the mechanics of walking. If children refuse to change into different shoes, she suggests watching for any signs of foot discomfort such as having trouble keeping up when out walking with you or complaining of tired or hurting feet; but as long as all seems well it doesn’t worth fighting over Crocs: even if they wear them all day without complaining of foot problems – no, it isn’t the end of the world,” Parthasarathy states.
As she points out, parents already have enough to worry about. This story was edited by Jane Greenhalgh.