The cooler months of winter inspire us to spend more time in our cozy homes. All too often, though, we take our shoes off indoors, walking around on hard flooring in bare or sock-covered feet. Unfortunately, that's one of the reasons why winter heel pain is worse: when we lose the support of shoes, we put extra pressure on the structure of our feet, leading to stress, inflammation, and discomfort. Want to keep your shoes out of the house and the pain out of your heels? Try the best slippers for plantar fasciitis prevention, as suggested by our podiatrist in Powder Springs, GA.
Preventing Winter Heel Pain: How Slippers Can Help
No one wants to wear their outdoor shoes around the house. That's a recipe for tracking dirt and germs into your home. But going without supportive footwear can strain your plantar fascia. (The band of connective tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, from your heels to your toes.) In turn, it can become inflamed, leading to the heel pain of plantar fasciitis.
Luckily, slippers can step in and save the day. When you find a pair of supportive slippers, worn only around your home, you can still keep germs and dirt out of the house. Of course, not all slippers are created equally. Some won't provide any additional foot support, so they can't help with heel pain prevention. In fact, some flimsy slippers could actually worsen foot and heel pain by making your feet work overtime just to keep them from sliding around. So, how can you get the right pair of protective slippers? Keep reading for Dr. Alvin Cowans guide to finding your perfect pair of house shoes.
The Best Slippers for Plantar Fasciitis: Features to Look For
When choosing slippers to help prevent winter heel pain, fit and features matter more than brand names. First and foremost, you want to find slippers that have actual arch support. So, while you may love the feel of those flat, fluffy slide-style slippers you find in hotels, those won't be your best choice if you want to prevent plantar fasciitis. Instead, look for slippers with thicker soles, so they can support your arch and prevent tugging on the plantar fascia. Ideally, the soles will also have some good gripping features, to help prevent slips, falls, and injuries such as a sprained ankle or broken ankle.
Next, look for slippers that have a back to them. While it's very convenient to take off your street shoes at the door and slide right into your slippers, backless shoes of any kind spell trouble for your feet. Because your feet slip and slide around in backless shoes, your toes are forced to scrunch in order to keep the shoes in place while you move. This puts stress on your entire foot, increasing your risk for winter heel pain in addition to foot deformities such as a hammer toe.
The material of your slippers is also important, especially since you're likely to wear them without socks when walking around your home. Look for pairs made from breathable materials, helping prevent sweating. In turn, you can reduce your risk for fungal infections such as athlete's foot.
Finally, whenever possible, avoid one-size-fits-all slippers, since these will allow your feet to slip and slide, just like they do in backless slippers. Ideally, you'll choose a pair that fits true to size, just like a street shoe. And, just like a street shoe, make sure to replace your slippers regularly since, with time and wear, their supportive features will become less effective.
Now you know the features to look for when shopping for in-home footwear. So let's dive into the fun stuff: shoppable links to help you find the perfect slippers for your feet!
Best Slippers for Plantar Fasciitis ![woman with the best slippers for plantar fasciitis]()
One of our top picks for winter heel pain prevention is this ERGOfoot Orthotic Slipper. While there is no backing on these slippers, the low-heel cup can prevent slipping. And the built-in orthopedic footbed provides plenty of arch support to take pressure off your plantar fascia.
Another great choice is the Isotoner Women's Classic slipper. Not only does this slipper come in sizes and with a nice supportive backing, it's also machine washable. That means you can pop it in the wash to get rid of sweat and germs, reducing your risk for fungal infections...and foot odor!
Finally, while we don't think Crocs are good for feet when worn as outdoor shoes, we do love their Classic Platform Slippers, since the dual foot straps keep shoes in place and the fuzzy lining warms up your feet while allowing for the important open design that fuels breathability.
Loving our slipper recommendations but in need of more help with winter heel pain? That's what we're here for. Just reach out to our office and request a consultation. We'll get to the bottom of your discomfort and get you back to feeling your best, well before the Spring!
