Tank tops, shorts and flip-flops. They're all part of the uniform of summer. But while the first two won't lead to too many health problems -- beyond exposing you to sunburn -- you may want to reconsider your footwear plans, warn some doctors.

Dr. Rosty Serebryany, a chiropractor at Athletic Edge Sports Medicine in Toronto, says he's seen a bevy of summer shoe-related injuries in his practice. Women may not be able to resist strappy shoes and sandals in the summertime, but those attractive pieces of footwear can lead to injury.

"They'll be running for the bus or they might step off a curb funny, and they will roll their ankle or they'll feel something get strained," he tells CTV.ca.

The problem with sandals, Serebryany says, is that many don't have straps at the back to hold the shoe on your foot. One misstep and you could be looking at summertime in a cast.

"If you're getting no support from the sandal and you really roll your ankle, you can tear your ligament or even sprain or break your ankle," he says.

If teetering on high-heeled sandals is a recipe for disaster, flat-soled flip-flops can march you into a world of foot and muscle problems, notes Scarborough-area podiatrist Dr. Kel Shirkin.

That's because flip-flops offer no arch support whatsoever and can accentuate any abnormal foot biomechanics. Even people who don't realize they have flat feet or a tendency to roll their ankles inward can have no problems all year long, only to notice aching feet, ankles and knees during a summer in flip-flops.

With a flat, foam-soled flip-flop, just walking on concrete for a few hours can cause the "plantar fascia", the ligament on the bottom of the foot that supports the arch, to become strained. The condition is called plantar fasciitis and it can mean some stabbing heel pain over time.

"You're going to have a lot of strain of the soft tissues and strains of the joints, which will cause pain. Which will lead to compensatory gait. Which will cause additional pain. Which will then drive them to my office and make me very happy," Shirkin laughs.

Left untreated, plantar fasciitis can cause knee pain, hip pain and eventually back pain. So even what seems like mild, though somewhat annoying, foot pain could worsen into something like tendonitis if you don't ditch the flip-flops at the first sign of pain.

Even the thong that runs between the first and second toe on a flip-flop can cause injury, notes Serebryany.

"If you've got just the one strap over the foot and nothing on the back to support your heel, all the force is coming down in between your first and second toe where the strap is and you're going to create irritation in that specific area," he says.

Not a summer-long solution

Neither Serebryany not Sirkin are anti-flip-flop. There's nothing really wrong with them if they're worn to the beach or in a locker room shower, as an alternative to going barefoot. The problem is some insist on wearing them all summer long.

"If you want to wear flip-flops, you should only wear them for a short period," says Shirkin.

"But to walk downtown through the concrete jungle and go long distances all day long, I do not advise at all, because you're setting up yourself for potential injuries to the foot.

"Common sense should prevail, but young women of today often choose fashion first."

Here are some tips for sandal and flip flop lovers:

• Instead of flip-flops, a sport sandal is a better choice for supporting the foot heel and arch
• If you insist on wearing strappy sandals, choose ones that have a a strap around the heel
• If you insist on flip-flops, choose ones made of soft leather and stiff soles that bend only slightly
• Make sure your sandals fit, and your feet don't extend beyond the edge.
• To avoid stress injuries and twisted ankles, avoid running or jumping in sandals or flip-flops
• If a day in flip-flops starts to cause pain on the bottom of your feet, use some ice and ibuprofen to bring down the swelling and ditch the offending shoes in exchange for proper shoes with good arch and heel support. Within a week or two, the pain should go away
• Never wear flip-flops to do yardwork or anywhere where you could injure your toes or toenails
• Don't wear flip-flops or strapless sandals while driving, as they can fall off easily and get wedged under the brake
• Don't forget sunscreen on the tops of your feet, which are highly susceptible to burns
• The summertime heat and humidity can worsen athlete's foot, fungus and blisters. If you can't keep your feet in good shape yourself, treat yourself to regular pedicures in a clean salon or with a podiatrist.