Minimalist shoes – helpful footwear in the fight against foot disorders.

Foot defects vs. minimalist shoes

We can divide foot defects into congenital defects, visible in a newborn from birth, such as clubfoot, and the more common ones that reveal themselves after uprighting, such as flat feet. Saying, however, that someone has “platfus” does not automatically link it to a fixed procedure. It can be a picture of different disease entities of varying severity. If you suspect a foot defect, it is worth consulting a specialist. He can properly examine and diagnose the defect. It is on determining the cause of the disorder, deformity, or pain that the success of therapy and comfort of daily functioning depend.

Is it possible to walk in minimalist shoes with a foot defect?

This question cannot be answered unequivocally, as it depends on the type of defect, its cause, and the complaints present. Each case should be evaluated individually to determine the appropriate treatment, either conservative or surgical. In the case of conservative treatment, an individual orthotic insole can be placed in a minimalist shoe. Of course, for the patient, a thin sole, lack of cushioning, and heel are not problems. Due to the volume of this article, individual cases of less common deformities will not be considered. The focus is on the most common ailments, the causes of which can be corrected.

Muscle strength vs. deformities

Part of the deformity is due to weakened muscle strength. It is characterized by the fact that the severity of the defect occurs in dynamics—that is, during walking or running. This may be related to the type of footwear that has been worn so far. If the cushioning of the shoe, the hard sole, and the heel have loosened the ligamentous and muscular apparatus of the foot for many years, the abnormal alignment of the joints of the entire lower limb may be evident during a barefoot examination. Such a situation can be solved in two ways. One can, for example, use well-fitting orthotic insoles and better and better cushioning in footwear (frequently replaced). The second option is external technology that positions the foot correctly and absorbs shock. The second option, on the other hand, requires a greater commitment of time and attention from the patient and involves strengthening, or even restoring, the foot’s natural cushioning mechanisms, so that the foot, rather than external aids, becomes responsible for cushioning, shock absorption, and proper alignment of the entire lower limb. Wearing minimalist shoes aids the process of foot strengthening, although it is not for all patients and must be used gradually.

What foot problems make it difficult to walk in minimalist shoes?

There are no clear and radical contraindications in the context of wearing minimalist shoes. However, there are groups of people for whom it would be either impossible or problematic to use such footwear in their current condition. Existing inflammation (e.g., of the Achilles or plantar fascia) or a post-surgical condition could therefore be a contraindication to minimalist shoes since the foot is forced to work intensively in them. Also, people with metatarsalgia, understood as forefoot pain of various origins, or people with peripheral hypersensitivity who feel uncomfortable walking barefoot In addition, people with atrophy of the fat pad may, especially in the initial phase of adaptation, experience discomfort.

Flat foot

It is one of the more commonly diagnosed and encountered foot defects. It is also associated with features such as Morton’s foot and joint hypermobility.

Flat foot is a physiological variant of the foot in young children. Children are born with a flat foot, with a fat pad visible on the medial side of the foot. Only the beginning of independent walking and loading of the lower limbs affect the formation of the longitudinal arch of the foot and the correction of the rearfoot position. At preschool age, the feet and knees enter a period of physiological valgus (although some cases may deviate from the norm, and then treatment is needed). Around age 7, the feet and knees should align in an intermediate position. If this is not the case, it is worth going with the child to an orthopedist or physiotherapist for follow-up.

Flatfoot is a syndrome that consists of abnormal alignment of two components: valgus alignment of the rearfoot (heel) and forefoot alignment in inversion and supination relative to the rearfoot. This is in contrast to the flat foot, which is characterized by correct heel alignment. The only thing that can be observed is the absence of a longitudinal arch.

Classification based on the type of deformity and its cause distinguishes:

•  flexible flatfoot, most often caused by dysfunction of the posterior tibialis muscle
•  rigid flatfoot, which can be caused by:

– ankle-foot or heel-foot osteochondrosis,

– congenital flat-ankle foot,

– neurogenic flat -ankle foot.

In the case of flexible deformities, proper strengthening of the muscles of the so-called stirrup of the foot (including the posterior tibialis and long fibula) helps to level the valgus position of the foot. Walking in minimalist shoes can be a good stimulus to stimulate the foot to work. However, the ability to consciously correct it first is needed. It may be that, in the case of large deformities, a sudden switch to shoes without stabilizing the foot will lead to overload and pain.

Bunion toe – why do barefoot shoes help?

The occurrence of a hallux valgus toe is primarily due to genetics and can also co-occur in Morton’s foot and the flat foot described above. The type of footwear used can contribute to either exacerbating or reducing an existing tendency. Walking in heeled shoes with tapered toes that squeeze the toes, causing a valgus toe position, can contribute to aggravating an existing defect.

Walking in minimalist shoes offers a number of benefits, including supporting the toe in its proper alignment:

• A wide front (toe box) gives the toe the opportunity to position the toe on its correct axis without valgus.
• The ability to visit the toe engages the toe’s abductor muscle and the short muscles of the foot, which in turn has a beneficial effect on the transverse arch.
• Correct work of the toe allows the foot’s cushioning mechanisms to engage.
• A flat sole (zero drop) improves the distribution of forces acting on the foot and relieves pressure on the forefoot.

Switching to minimalist shoes with a foot defect

The foot defects described above are associated with weakened or contracted muscles that are unable to hold the foot in proper alignment. In the case of a corrective defect (e.g., corrective flat feet—flexible flat feet), we can, through appropriate exercises and manual work, restore normal biomechanics. Success depends on the degree of deformity, age, regularity of exercise, and correct diagnosis. If we were to try to make an abrupt transition from “classic” shoes with cushioning to minimalist shoes, we may run the risk of injury and the onset of pain. The body needs time and proper adaptation to new tasks. The foot needs to strengthen the muscles but also stretch and make flexible those that have been contracted so far.