6 Foot Conditions That Orthopedic Sandals Can Help You Manage

Have you ever wondered about the complexity of your feet? With 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, ligaments, and tendons, your feet are remarkably engineered.

Despite such resilience, they’re still vulnerable to conditions that cause them discomfort, creating the need for a solution to manage the pain.

Orthopedic sandals are the game-changer when it comes to managing foot conditions. Not only do they alleviate the pain, but they also support your feet to improve their alignment.

Whether you suffer from plantar fasciitis, flat feet, or heel spurs, orthopedic sandals will help you manage your foot condition and keep you moving comfortably all day.

The Basics - - - -

• Your feet are built to withstand pressure. The arch, fat cushioning, tendons, joints, and muscles work together to make it happen.
• Genetics, overusing the feet, aging, and injuries disrupt this harmony, giving rise to various foot conditions.
• Tread Labs orthopedic sandals manage the pain and discomfort caused by these conditions to enable you to enjoy your day-to-day activities.

With that in mind, let’s now take a look at these foot conditions.

Table of Contents

• 1 - Plantar Fasciitis: The Heel Stabber
• 2 - Flat Feet: The Fallen or Missing Arches
• 3 - Heel Spurs: The Pointy Outgrowths
• 4 - Bunions: The Bony Bumps on the Big Toes
• 5 - Tendonitis: The Overused and Inflamed Tendons
• 6 - High Arches: The Supinated Feet

1 - Plantar Fasciitis: The Heel Stabber

Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition that’s characterized by a sharp, stabbing pain in the heel or arch of the foot, which is especially severe in the morning when you get out of bed.

The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes. When this band becomes inflamed or irritated, it causes intense pain and discomfort.

There are many factors that contribute to the development of plantar fasciitis. Here are some of them:

• If you’re an athlete or individual who spends long hours on your feet, you're at a higher risk of developing plantar fasciitis. Running, jumping, and standing for long periods strains and inflames the plantar fascia.
• Wearing worn out shoes or those that don’t provide adequate support can cause plantar fasciitis. High heels and shoes with a narrow toe box are culprits in the development of this condition.
• Being overweight increases the risk of developing plantar fasciitis because the extra weight adds more pressure to your feet, causing the plantar fascia to become inflamed and painful.
• Individuals with flat feet or high arches are more prone to developing plantar fasciitis. Flat feet have fallen arches that stretch the plantar fascia, while high arches tilt the foot forward and add weight to the ball of the foot.

Did You Know? Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain, affecting about 2 million people every year in the United States alone.

If you’re suffering from plantar fasciitis, sandals with an arch will give you relief by providing the necessary arch support and cushioning.

At Tread Labs, we believe that arch support is the holy grail of comfort. We’ve designed orthopedic sandals with a proportioned arch support system that you can’t find on sandals with flatter footbeds, which gives you unmatched comfort.

In addition to wearing sandals for plantar fasciitis, there are other steps that are useful in managing plantar fasciitis:

• Stretching the calf muscles and the plantar fascia as part of your daily routine to reduce pain and improve flexibility.
• Applying ice to the affected area reduces pain and inflammation, while massaging the foot loosens tight muscles and promotes healing.
• Maintaining a healthy weight eliminates pressure on the feet, which is beneficial for those with plantar fasciitis.

If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, a pair of orthopedic sandals will manage your symptoms and provide relief from pain.

With the right arch support, insole support, and foot alignment, you’ll reduce the discomfort and get back to your active lifestyle.

“I love these sandals. I have plantar fasciitis and need good foot support. Last summer I wore tennis shoes all summer in the heat and hated it, so I was determined to find a better option this year. I have tried a few different pairs of sandals from other brands and still experienced discomfort with them. I have worn these sandals for extensive periods of time without any discomfort, I'm very pleased with them and look forward to using them all summer long.”
- Lexi, Verified Buyer, USA

2 - Flat Feet: The Fallen or Missing Arches

Flat feet is a condition where the arch of the foot collapses or is absent since birth, causing the entire foot to touch the ground. This causes an uneven distribution of weight that brings pain or discomfort in the feet, legs, and back.

Fortunately, orthotic sandals provide arch support and improve foot alignment, reducing the symptoms associated with flat feet.

Here are some recommended features to look for in orthopedic sandals for flat feet:

• Built-in arch support that distributes weight evenly across the foot to reduce strain on the already fallen arch.
• A contoured footbed to lift the fallen arch to its former level, which improves your overall foot alignment.
• A wide toe box to allow the front of your foot to spread out naturally, reducing pressure on the toes and ball of the foot.
• A firm midsole that provides stability and absorbs shock, which is particularly important for those with flat feet.

For a midsole to absorb shock well, it should be made of a material that’s sturdy, yet flexible enough to distribute the shock to the whole foot. We've found that the perfect combination is polyurethane and Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA).

Polyurethane is a foam material that’s popular for its shock absorbency while EVA is lightweight, stretchy, and shock absorbent too.

That means the polyurethane in our midsoles absorbs the impact while EVA keeps the shoe lightweight. In fact, our sandals—which have this type of midsole—are so light that you don’t need your running shoes when going the distance. Just put on your Tread Labs sandals.

“I've got Albions sandals for a month. I'm glad that I read all the reviews and bought 1 size up. The Albions fit my flat arch feet perfectly. I wear them for everything: table tennis training, walking, hiking. I have a partially torn ACL and I feel much better when I wear the Albions. Highly recommended!”
- Min Tran, Verified Buyer, Vietman

3 - Heel Spurs: The Pointy Outgrowths

Heel spurs are bony growths that form on the heel of the bone. If you have excess calcium in the body, it concentrates in areas such as the heels to form painful growths.

Their condition becomes worse when you strain your feet by wearing ill-fitting shoes. Sometimes heel spurs are so painful that they make walking difficult.

Fortunately, orthopedic sandals come to the rescue with the much-needed relief for those suffering from the bony growths.

Here’s how they relieve pressure caused by heel spurs:

• The soft cushioning provides a plush surface for the heel to relax, which reduces pressure caused by walking and standing.
• The shock-absorbing midsoles reduce the impact felt by the bony growths when the foot hits the ground during movement.
• Well-designed heel cups stabilize the heel and provide better alignment, reducing strain on the plantar fascia and heel bone.

Tread Labs orthopedic sandals have deep heel cups that concentrate the fatty pad under your heels to keep your feet secure on the footbed. This prevents your heels from slipping side to side and irritating the bony growths.

Summary: The design of orthopedic sandals–soft cushioning, shock-absorbing midsoles, and well-designed heel cups–works in tandem to relieve pressure and discomfort caused by heel spurs.

4 - Bunions: The Bony Bumps on the Big Toes

Bunions are a common foot condition that’s characterized by a bony bump at the base of the big toe. The development of bunions happens when the big toe pushes against the adjacent toes, causing the joint to protrude.

This leads to pain, inflammation, and difficulty wearing regular shoes. Orthopedic sandals are a great solution for people with bunions, as they offer several benefits that alleviate pain and prevent further irritation.

Orthopedic sandals are designed with comfort in mind. They have a wide toe box that provides ample space for the toes to spread so that the big toe stops pushing against the other toes.

The extra cushioning on orthopedic sandals ensures that the bunion rests on plush material so that any repeated movements against it don’t end with sore skin.

Just like a good mattress, cushioning should neither be too firm that it feels like concrete nor too soft that it feels like marshmallows. Our sandals have just the right amount to provide a comfortable surface for your bunions.

The arch support in orthopedic sandals also ensures that pressure is distributed evenly onto the whole foot rather than concentrating at the fore foot where it pressures the bunion.

In addition to wearing orthopedic sandals with a wide toe box, here are other tips that will aid you in managing bunions:

• Place gel or foam pads over the bunion to provide additional cushioning and reduce pressure on the joint.
• Avoid high heels as they position your feet on a slope, which puts pressure on the toes and exacerbates the condition.
• Ice the affected area for 15–20 minutes at a time several times a day to reduce swelling and pain associated with bunions.
• Exercise the foot and toes by performing toe curls, towel scrunches, and foot arch lifts to improve flexibility.

When you wear proper orthopedic sandals, pressure will be taken off the bunions and the soft cushioning will provide a cozy bed for them to rest and get relief.

5 - Tendonitis: The Overused and Inflamed Tendons

Tendonitis is a condition that occurs when the tendons in your feet become inflamed, leading to pain and discomfort. It affects anyone, from athletes to people who spend long hours on their feet.

The most common causes of tendonitis include overusing your feet, injury, and biomechanical imbalances such as flat feet or high arches.

Orthopedic sandals manage the pain and discomfort associated with tendonitis by providing cushioning to reduce the strain on affected tendons.

Here are some ways orthopedic sandals manage tendonitis:

• The arch support distributes the weight of your body evenly across your foot, reducing the pressure on your tendons.
• The shock-absorbing features cushion your feet and reduce the shock of each step you take to alleviate the impact felt by your tendons.
• The soft and comfortable materials reduce friction and pressure on your feet, reducing the risk of further agitating the pain in the tendons.

When your tendons are inflamed, it’s a way of saying they’re tired, so give your legs enough rest so that they recover from the strain.

Tying a compression bandage is one way to relieve the inflammation. Another way is to elevate your legs such that they’re above the heart level to promote faster relief.

“Extremely comfortable on the insole. The weave and slight stretch in the straps make them more than you expect and better than any sandal I’ve ever worn.”
- Herbert, Verified Buyer, USA

6 - High Arches: The Supinated Feet

High arches is a condition where the arch of the foot is significantly raised or elevated. This causes instability and pain when standing or walking, and leads to other foot problems such as calluses, metatarsalgia, and plantar fasciitis.

Orthopedic sandals manage high arches by providing proper arch support and improving shock absorption.

They also distribute pressure evenly across the foot to reduce the discomfort and pain associated with this foot condition.

When looking for orthopedic sandals for high arches, it’s important to look for the following features:

• A contoured footbed that molds to the shape of the foot to provide customized arch support and reduce strain on the arches.
• A footbed with sufficient cushioning to absorb shock and reduce impact on the foot, especially for those who stand or walk for long periods of time.
• A deep heel cup that provides stability to prevent excessive inward rolling of the foot, which exacerbates high arches.

Orthopedic sandals cater to high arches by offering you more than just comfort. They provide a practical solution by providing proper arch support and shock absorption.

The customized fit ensures that your foot remains stable, and the cushioning works to eliminate pressure on your arches.

High arches are manageable with the help of orthopedic sandals, but exercises also remove discomfort and reduce the risk of further complications.

There are several stretches that relieve tension and improve the flexibility of the foot. These include:

• Calf stretch: Stand facing a wall with one foot in front of the other. Bend the front knee and lean forward, keeping the back heel on the ground. Hold for 30 seconds and then switch legs.
• Toe curls: Place a towel on the floor and use your toes to scrunch it up. Hold for five seconds and then release. Repeat several times.
• Arch stretch: Sit in a chair with your feet flat on the ground. Lift one foot and place it on the opposite thigh. Use your hands to gently pull the toes back towards the ankle and feel the arch stretching.

High arches need not be a burden because they’re manageable with the aid of orthopedic sandals and stretch exercises. With these two solutions, your feet, ankles, and legs will properly align to prevent further complications to the arches.

The table below provides a brief summary of the six foot conditions that can be alleviated by orthopedic sandals.

Foot Condition	Symptoms	Causes	Risk Factors
Plantar Fasciitis	Sharp, stabbing pain in the heel or arch of the foot Very severe in the morning	Overuse Inadequate foot support Overweight	Long hours of standing or walking Flat feet High arches Worn-out shoes
Flat Feet	Pain or discomfort in the feet, legs, and back Entire foot touching the ground	Genetics Injury Wear and tear	Obesity Hypertension Diabetes Aging
Heel Spurs	Chronic pain in the heel Inflammation Walking difficulty	Excess calcium deposit Strain on foot muscles and ligaments	Running Jumping Poorly fitted shoes Obesity
Bunions	Visible bony bump at the base of the big toe Pain Inflammation	Inherited foot type Wearing tight shoes Foot stress	High heels Tight shoes Rheumatoid arthritis
Tendonitis	Pain Discomfort Swelling around a joint	Overuse Injury Biomechanical imbalances	Aging Sports with repetitive motions Jobs with repetitive movements
High Arches	Pain or discomfort when standing or walking Instability Calluses	Genetic Neurological or muscle conditions	Older age Certain diseases (e.g., cerebral palsy, stroke)

Choosing the Right Orthopedic Sandals

Selecting comfortable sandals for foot problems makes a significant difference in managing foot conditions. Overall, here are the factors to consider:

• Ill-fitting sandals worsen your foot condition and cause discomfort. Ensure that you get sandals that are neither too loose nor too tight.
• Arch support is a critical feature because it provides stability, reduces foot fatigue, and prevents future foot problems.
• High-quality materials such as microfiber suede provide durability and longevity to your sandals and protect your feet from irritation.
• The right amount of cushioning is crucial for your comfort. Choose sandals with cushioning that’s neither too much nor too little.
• A wide toe box is essential for those with foot conditions such as bunions, as it provides ample room for your toes to spread.
• Look for sandals with adjustable straps to ensure that when your feet are swollen you can loosen the sandals.
• If you plan to wear your sandals for extended periods, consider choosing a lightweight pair that won't weigh you down or tire your feet.
• Choose sandals with a rugged sole that will provide traction whenever you’re walking on slippery ground or rocky terrain.
• Look for sandals that are easy to clean and dry, especially if you plan to wear them in wet conditions or for outdoor activities.

Tread Labs sandals can be wiped down with a cloth or machine-washed. Just toss them into the machine and you’ll be surprised at how fast they’ll dry even after fully immersing them in water.

All our sandals have a rubber sole with rugged tread marks that provide a firm grip on rough terrain to prevent you from slipping and falling.

They also have adjustable straps. The Men’s Albion and Women’s Albion sandals have a slip-on design, while the Men’s Covelo and Women’s Covelo sandals have a back strap for extra support.

Bonus Tip: In case you want a sole replacement, we’ve partnered with Dave Page, Cobbler. They’re internationally renowned for the repair of fine footwear and will resole your sandals with original rubber soles.

The table below shows Tread Labs orthotic sandals.

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Orthopedic Sandals: A Comfortable Yet Stylish Solution to Foot Conditions

If you suffer from foot conditions such as plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and tendonitis, they need not wear you down because a pair of orthopedic sandals is the game-changer for managing the pain and discomfort.

With the right arch support, cushioning, and materials in these sandals, you’ll alleviate pressure on your feet and improve alignment, which reduces the risk of further injuries.

At Tread Labs, we understand the importance of finding the right orthopedic sandals to manage your foot conditions. That's why we offer a range of high-quality sandals that are designed with your comfort and support in mind.

Our orthopedic sandals provide customized arch support, while our durable materials ensure they last long. Plus, our sandals come in various colors to suit your preferences and lifestyle.

Don't let foot conditions hold you back. Visit Tread Labs today and find the perfect pair that will manage your foot conditions and improve the quality of your life.

“I have always struggled to find sandals with an arch. The arch is great, and the sandals stay on my feet, even when sweaty :)”
- MoeRutski, Verified Buyer, USA