Wearing shoes indoors can prevent foot pain, says doctor

Within a week of quarantine, I began to feel pain in my heel that kept me from walking, much less running or exercising. And thanks to Instagram, I learned that I am not alone.

“If you or someone you know has extreme heel pain after being locked / quarantined in their wood-floor apartment for the past two months, look no further,” said one post.

The IG user suggested gluing Dr. Scholl’s inserts to his feet. But in reality there is a much easier solution for foot pain: indoor shoes.

Miguel Cunha, MD, founder of Gotham Footcare, says that walking barefoot on hard surfaces for long periods of time alters the distribution of pressure and weight between the feet. The imbalance can cause deformities in the feet, such as bunions and painful conditions like shin splints, Achilles tendinitis, and heel pain, he says. Eventually, this could lead to knee and back problems as well.

But that doesn’t mean you can just put on your old gym shoes, Cunha says.

“I strongly recommend that you not wear indoor outdoor shoes to prevent unnecessary and unhygienic transfer of soil, bacteria, viruses and pollen from the environment to our homes,” he says.

Even if you don’t wear dirty shoes indoors, you can be affected by housemates, Cunha explains.

“You can get the virus from a spouse or roommate if they have plantar warts,” he says. “So I suggest having an indoor shoe specifically indoors. Don’t walk barefoot inside and don’t wear outside shoes indoors.”

Your practical sneakers probably won’t count as shoes either, unless they include a back strap and arch support.

“With the backless sneakers, they’re not really supporting your feet, it’s the other way around,” says Cunha. “Your feet are supporting the shoe that you can see with each step. You are pressing to grab the shoe, grasping it with your feet. This speeds up the formation of a hammer toe.”

If you have already been barefoot for the past month and are experiencing foot pain, Cunha also recommends purchasing a pair of compression stockings. They provide arch and ankle support, which can improve Achilles tendinitis.

After three weeks of wearing my socks and a mix of APL and Vionic shoes inside, my heel feels immeasurably better. In fact, I’ve already started jogging again.

Here are Cunha’s best options for shoes to wear indoors:

Take a look at these doctor-recommended picks for indoor footwear:

New Balance 608v5 Men’s Casual Comfort Cross Training Shoes

“This walking shoe is lightweight with increased flexibility in the forefoot, ABZORB New Balance patented materials for comfort and support in the midsole and heel,” says Cunha. “These shoes are affordable and durable.”

Brooks Addiction Walker Men’s Walking Shoes

“These shoes are not as light as the New Balance Fresh Foam 1165, however I would highly recommend them for people with low arches as they provide great stability and shock control, especially on hard pavement. These are slightly more expensive but it is worth the investment, as they are comfortable to wear for long periods of time, “says Cunha.

SB SOX Compression Foot Sleeves for Men and Women

SB SOX
amazon.com

“These socks help provide arch support and comfort by minimizing arch fatigue, heel pain, and throbbing with every step. This sock also features graduated compression to support the ankle, which can also improve Achilles tendinitis and reduce circulation because it reduces inflammation of the foot and ankle, “says Cunha.

Vionic Unisex Wave Toe Post Sandal

“I don’t recommend long-term use of sandals for outdoor purposes, as they can strain your tendons as they work harder than usual to hold the sandal on your foot. However, when walking around the house indoors, I recommend the use of Vionic Sandals with hidden orthopedic arch to comfortably support and cushion your arch, which can be aggravated, especially when walking on wooden or marble floors, “says Cunha.