Flip Flops Cost NHS £40million a Year

[ladyDeWint]

Compared to high heels, they don't look remotely hazardous. But flip-flop wearers would do well to think twice before slipping on a pair.

The NHS spends £40million a year treating injuries caused by wearing the casual footwear.

More than 200,000 people visit their GP or even end up in hospital every year after suffering falls or developing long-term problems.

Once worn only at the beach, flip-flops have become the regular summer footwear of choice for many, with one in five women owning at least one pair.

But experts are warning of the dangers of prolonged use, such as the risk of shin splints and joint pains.

They say flip-flops force people to change the way they walk so that when taking a stride they put pressure on the outside of their foot, rather than their heel, causing long-term damage.

And there is also the risk of serious injury from tripping over.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/artic ... z0v4W684jv

[Barryoneoff]

I s'pose they stub their toes too.

[tabbynera]

I just find them very uncomfortable to wear and with my medical history of accident prone things, I just leave them alone.

[marilyn]

My son-in-law wears them all the time (as do lots of aussies) and fell down the driveway yesterday in the rain!
They are dangerous.

Called 'thongs' here by the way

[valk]

I love them.

[johnworc]

Funny about different names for things - "thongs" !! In Oz a flip-flop is a politician dropping one policy and replacing it with an opposite one - and it happens frequently !!

[jo]

i wear them all the time indoors ive several pairs , now the pound shop is selling them happy days , ive broken my leg ankle and foot in the past and not once was i wearing flip flops when i had these accidents , but now ive said it .........

[cockneyoz]

Theyre nicknamed chinese safety boots here, everyone wears them including me, i think theyre great.

[johnworc]

I've never taken to thongs. I found in my youth, they caused chafing between my toes so abandoned them forever.
I'm sure the name "flip-flop" must be a combination of what you see plus the actual sounds ("onomatopaeic" - not sure how to spell that!)

[Barryoneoff]

I tried them while on holiday once, but just couldn't walk properly in them so gave up.