"Rocker Bottom" shoes... Are they just a passing fad?

There are a variety of these types of "toner" or "rocker bottom" shoes available on the market today.  From Skecher's Shape-Ups to Reebok's EasyTone, my patients often ask me if these shoes are worth trying.

Skecher's Shape-Ups

Several of my patients have shared with me their personal journey with the "toner" shoes.  From the 80 year old lady who struggled to use them, only to be saved from an inevitable fall by the use of her walker, to the Cracker Barrel waitress who is "certain" that she only continues to work because of these "incredible new shoes".  

With such a variety of opinions and experiences, I believe that any clinician recommending the purchase of "rocker bottom" shoes needs to consider the following...

"Normal gait biomechanics"are definately altered with these shoes.  A few foot conditions may benefit from the short term use of these shoes.  The "rocker bottom" does effectively offload the forefoot, which may help with forefoot pain related to capsulitis or Morton's neuroma.  The shoe may also provide a stretch of the plantar fascia that may help to alleviate the symptoms of plantar fasciitis.

"Rocker Bottom" shoes can lead to instability and falls.  According to the Consumer Reports health report there were more reports of injuries with these types of shoes then any other in 2010.  Here is an example of a Skecher's lawsuit over the Shape-Up shoes causing stress fractures.

"Rocker Bottom" shoes have not proven to provide the health benefits that they have advertised.  In fact there is currently a Skecher's class action lawsuit over unfounded claims of health benefits.

In conclusion, I have choosen not to recommend "rocker bottom" shoes for my patients.  What will you decide?