"Shape-up" shoes

I am sure everyone is aware of these shoes.  They claim to help "tone" your lower body.  I do have patients that say they like these shoes.  However, there are several lawsuits over these shoes not doing what they said they were going to do.  One woman in Ohio is also suing for causing a stress fracture in her foot.  I tell my patients that I believe shape-up type shoes take away the effects of a tight achilles tendon.  This is also known as "ankle equinus."  When wearing them with the rocker bottom, the foot does not have to compensate as much.  This is fine if you are going to wear these shoes all the time, but most people still want to wear other shoes or sandals and end up with foot pain.  I have even had a patient train for a marathon in them and she developed significant tendonitis because of this.  Thankfully, we were able to get her running again with treatment.