Why Do Surgeons Wear Clogs?

Why Do Surgeons Wear Clogs?

Probably, you have seen those big, not-so-beautiful shoes that surgeons wear during surgeries. The most worn shoes in surgeries and surgery wards are clogs. So the question is – why do surgeons wear clogs? For a start, let’s see what these clogs look like to realize what we are dealing with.

Surgical Clog

You are probably able to see at first glance that there are design features that turn out to be very important for the surgical clogs: easy to wear, easy to clean, thick sole, no opening of the upper part OSHA also recommends that—and some other ones. Let’s walk through all these features and break them down so you understand what we’re talking about.

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Comfort Of The Clogs

One of the most essential things for surgical clogs is comfort. Most manufacturers focus on providing the best support for the feet. That’s why you will see some exciting technologies in these clogs; for example, the sole part will not be solid and lean. It can be ribbed and include some elevations or massage bumps.

Usually, croc clogs will have a ribbed inner part. All these features are designed to make your feet more comfortable and reduce pain.

Of course, if you just try the clogs on, you won’t feel a big difference. But if, during a 2-3 hour surgery, you were to wear simple shoes and then compare them with the inside of the clog, you would feel the difference on your feet.

This is one of the reasons why most clog manufacturers offer free returns if you are unsatisfied.

Feet Protection

If you have come across classic Crocs clogs with various holes on the top part, then those are not proper surgical clogs.

Non-surgical clogs are not meant for a surgeon and surgeries. Simply because you are putting your feet and yourself in danger.

It is even hazardous for those treating patients with infectious diseases, where there is a risk that some of the blood can drip onto the floor or your feet, e.g., HIV, hepatitis C, and hepatitis B.

These openings are suitable for ventilation but bad for protection so that proper surgical clogs will have closed the upper and side parts, too.

Clog Stability – Back Pain Reduction

If you have ever tried standing up for a long time, you probably know how that back pain feels. The same thing goes for surgeons during surgeries.

At first, it feels counter-intuitive that your shoes can cause back pain, but it’s reality. Just look at the anatomy in these x-rays—schematic anatomical picture. The feet should be in their correct anatomical positions. Now, on anatomical considerations: The anatomical position of the feet should be respected. To sustain an anatomical position, the shoe sole should be thick enough; for proper support, the shoe should respect the anatomy of the feet.

There is some level of instability or deviation from the normal position that can occur, and this position, if sustained over longer durations (in surgeries, for example), then there can be intervertebral disc compression or herniation. This is why deep spinal muscles are essential. Typically, pain is localized in the lumbar spine.

Normally, pain is in the lumbar spine at the level of the 3rd, 4th, or 5th vertebrae.

All clogs are made to keep your feet in a stable position, avoiding jerky movements to the sides (that’s why clogs are wide) and, by doing so, keeping your spine healthy too.

Easy to Clean and Disinfect

Quite unlike all the other regular shift shoes, infectious spills do happen. Inevitably, your clogs will end up with blood, urine, bile, sputum, or any other type of body fluids at some point in surgery.

Therefore, the ease of cleaning and disinfection feature makes clogs beneficial. Regular shoes are made of cotton, polyester, and other synthetic stuff that is hard to clean. It’s not a problem for the clogs. With this, also many of them are autoclave compatible. (Autoclaving means using steam to sterilize and kill all the bacteria on your shoes.)

Regular shoes would not be able to survive autoclaving.

Slip-On Hands-Free

This is one of the most common characteristics of surgical clogs—the characteristic used in 2 things: speed and protection.

Most surgeries are aimed at being emergency surgery, so in that instant of need, every second will be precious. In those cases, you do not have time to lace your shoes and undergo surgery.

By using a simple slip-on clog, you save anywhere between 30 to 60 seconds. Another factor relates to protection. If you didn’t know, then your shoes are a paradise for bacteria, especially shoelaces.

So, by avoiding shoelaces, you reduce the number of bacteria that will be on your arms and the amount of bacteria that will enter the operating theater. As a result, you protect yourself and protect your patient.

Durability

Surgical clogs are made to hold off long hours of continuous pressure. The bottom part of the shoes will last longer and be more robust than other shoes.

There is a big chance that you’ve been through the new shoe experience, and then, after one or two years, the sole looks nothing like it ever did. In surgeries, this sole wear-off can happen even faster.

Most of the surgical clogs should be able to withstand continuous pressure and keep the sole more uniform than in the case of regular shoes. The only drawback is that the sole can be more complicated than usual.

Surgical Clogs’ Color

Perhaps a feature that is not as important and would vary from doctor to doctor, but usually, you will see that the surgical clogs come in at least two colors – one will be dark, and one will be light. The dark color is better if you plan to wear surgical clogs outside of the operating theatre.

Then, after each surgery or every week, clogs receive their treatment of sterilization or disinfection and are ready to go again. On the dark color, you can’t see signs of wearing off so fast as on the light clogs. Dirt is more challenging to spot in dark colors. If the clog is a light color, you will see how much blood and other fluids go on to it.

Also, wear signs show on light-colored clogs faster. On the whole, if you are to use them strictly inside an operating theater, you are good to go with light colors, and after each operation, you will see how dirty or clean your clogs are.

As much as these clogs look great on you, it is also essential to note that after some surgeries, they won’t look so fresh.

We hope you now understand why surgical clogs differ from regular shoes and ordinary clogs and will be able to decide better on what kind of clogs you may need for surgeries!

Do not forget, also, to pay attention to another handy article, which we have prepared for you: Best Shoes for Doctors, Tips on Choosing Scrubs, Medical Jewelry for Doctors.