Over the past several years, many patients have asked me about the Vibram FiveFinger minimalist running shoes. Many of you have probably either tried or at least seen these shoes before. I have met runners who love these shoes, but I've also met many people who have ended up in my office with stress fractures after wearing these shoes. The combination of lack of support, lack of cushioning, hard surfaces, and improper training can result in overload of the foot bones. Last month, Vibram agreed to settle a class action suit against the company alleging that the company made false and unsubstantiated claims about the health benefits of its footwear. The company will be paying 3.75 million dollars to settle this suit. Although minimalist running combined with proper training can work for some individuals, I can't say that I'm sorry to see the decline in the "barefoot running" craze amongst the general public. For most runners, I will continue to recommend a more traditional running shoe, such as Aasic, Saucony, or New Balance. If you have any questions about what running shoe or what running style may be right for you, please don't hesitate to ask!
