With the arrival of summer heat, Southern Utah podiatrist Dr. Landon Cameron notes a surge in plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendon pain, and other foot conditions as patients swap shoes for flip-flops.
St. George, UT (PRUnderground) June 23rd, 2026
Foot & Ankle Center serves patients across Southern Utah and Mesquite, NV, providing podiatric care that ranges from routine foot pain treatment to complex reconstructive surgery. As summer temperatures rise across Southern Utah and the Mesquite, NV area, Foot & Ankle Center is issuing a seasonal advisory urging residents to reconsider how often they reach for flip flops. Flip flops offer virtually none of the structural support the foot relies on during extended activity. That gap becomes especially problematic in a season when people tend to be more active and on their feet for longer stretches.
Dr. Landon Cameron, DPM, FACFAS, founded Foot & Ankle Center with a patient-first philosophy built around conservative care, evaluating every non-surgical option before recommending more involved treatment and developing a specific plan for each case. Dr. Cameron’s 10 years of treating patients and board certification in foot, ankle, and reconstructive surgery shape the guidance he offers patients. The pattern of summer foot ailments he observes each year in his practice mirrors that documented by peer-reviewed science.
Research published in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association found shorter strides and higher peak plantar pressures in flip-flop wearers than in those wearing supportive footwear.¹ The plantar fascia, the band of connective tissue running along the bottom of the foot from heel to toe, bears the brunt of that added stress. Repeated stress without adequate support is one of the leading contributors to plantar fasciitis, a common condition seen at the St. George and Mesquite podiatry offices of Foot & Ankle Center.
“Every summer, we see the same story,” said Dr. Cameron. “People are active, the weather is warm, and they spend hours on their feet in flip flops without thinking about what that does to the foot’s structure. By the time they come in, the plantar fascia is already inflamed, or there is a nagging heel ache. The heel and arch bear a lot of pressure, but flip flops tax the entire forefoot.”
The constant toe-gripping required to keep a flip-flop on the foot also places repetitive strain on the tendons and small muscles of the forefoot. Patients with a history of prior foot injuries or ongoing conditions such as flat feet or high arches face the most risk. Dr. Cameron advises individuals to consult a podiatrist about appropriate warm-weather footwear before nagging symptoms develop into more serious conditions, such as Achilles tendonitis requiring treatment.
To learn more about seasonal foot and ankle care or to schedule an appointment at Foot & Ankle Center, call 435-714-6996 or visit MyFootDoc.com.
Sources:
¹https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20660875/
About Foot & Ankle Center
Foot & Ankle Center has the experience to treat all foot and ankle concerns such as foot & ankle pain, heel pain, toenail fungus, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, and many more. They believe in a conservative approach to podiatry, evaluating all options for treatment before surgery.
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