Podiatrists Share What They'd Never Do (And Wish You Wouldn't Either)

Foot issues can be particularly debilitating. Think about how often most of us need to use our feet throughout the day as we move from point A to point B.

That’s why it’s important to do what we can to keep our feet healthy and functioning — including avoiding certain footwear and behavior.

“As a podiatrist, we literally see the worst of the worst foot cases,” Dr. Ebonie Vincent, a board-certified podiatric foot and ankle specialist in California, told HuffPost. “Naturally there are things we would refrain from doing knowing what we know.”

Below, Vincent and other foot and ankle health experts share the behaviors they avoid in order to protect their foot health.

Wearing Crocs Everywhere

In recent years, Crocs have come back into style — to many podiatrists’ chagrin.

“Don’t get me wrong, Crocs are a decent shoe to wear around the house or while doing small tasks,” Vincent said. “However, when I see people wearing Crocs at Disneyland or for long hours of standing, I know they will probably suffer from some foot issues down the line.”

She recommended wearing “a good walking shoe” from brands like Brooks, Asics or New Balance for long days of standing or walking.

Living In High Heels

“Women who live in high heels will eventually suffer from foot pain from bunions, corns, heel spurs or even Achilles tendon pain,” Vincent said.

Plenty of people enjoy putting on high heels for special occasions, so wearing these shoes is not a “never” behavior. Still, a healthy balance is crucial. We’re not Barbie, after all.

“You should wear high heels [in] moderation, not the entire day or every day,” said Dr. Jason Gold, a board-certified podiatrist at the Foot, Ankle & Leg Vein Center in Florida. “Wearing high heels causes your foot to