My biggest concern going into the Olympics was that someone was going to get injured. As much as I enjoyed these last two weeks, if Crunchy had come home all gimpy I never never never would have forgiven the Olympics. NEVER! And while the Sabres appear to have escaped the Olympic in good health, one thing I absolutely did not consider was a potential injury to myself.
Yes, my name is Katebits, and I managed to injure myself while watching the gold medal game.
Here is my tale of woe:
First of all, you should know that unless I’m going somewhere very fancy, I almost always wear Dansko clogs. (I know. I’m so sexy. Try not to lose your head over it.) Anyone who’s ever worn a pair of Danskos knows that while they are the MOST comfortable shoes in the world….they are also oddly tippy. Every once in awhile, Danskos just screw you. (In fact, some of you who were at the blogger gathering a few weeks ago may recall me practically falling for no apparent reason. You probably all thought to yourself, “Wow. Kate is a total drunken mess.” BUT NO. That incident was because of my Danskos, not because of excessive drinking. I swear on the souls of my future children with Steve Montador, it was the shoes. [I’m not kidding about these shoes- they EFF YOU UP sometimes. My sister broke her foot while wearing them, and my friend Debby fell to the ground while holding her toddler. THESE SHOES ARE HARDCORE.])
Anyway, when Zach Parise (who I assume Darcy is feverishly trying to trade for as we speak) scored the uber-exciting tie goal in the waning seconds of the third period, I did what any fan would do. I leapt into the air, while screaming at the top of my lungs. Then, I did what only fans wearing Danskos would EVER do, which is land, tip, and immediately roll my left foot awkwardly inward.
That hockey game hobbled me. I’m limping, and sore, and all around pathetic. The worst thing about of all is that I’m STILL WEARING THESE DEVIL SHOES (because I don’t even own any other shoes [except heels], and because I love them, and seriously, when they’re not trying to kill me they are just so so so comfortable).
And that’s my story. I’m married to the Blobby of footwear and everything is terrible.
The Willful Caboose 
Aw, Kate, I’m so sorry you hurt your ankle.
Also, I love my Danskos but you are so right about them being tippy. A small part of me is glad to know that I’m not alone in that, although I wish this story didn’t include your being injured.
Thanks for your sympathy Meg! You are SO not alone with your tippy Danskos. There are many of us. My friend Deb was talking about starting a blog called, “Screw my Danskos” for survivors of Dansko-related injuries.
OMG, I wear Danskos all the time, too — yes, they are SO uber-sexy — but I wear them *because* of a bad foot injury! I badly sprained both my ankle and my foot a couple of years ago, to the point where I had to use crutches or a wheelchair for about 2 months, and the doctor told me to get Danskos because they give such good arch support. (And told me to stop wearing flip-flops, which was what I was wearing when I fell, but hello, I can’t wear Danskos in the summer, dude.)
Anyway, I’m sorry you got hurt, but I am kind of glad I’m not the only one who gets a little tippy in my Danskos. I thought it was an inner ear problem or something. :-P Don’t you just love randomly falling over?!
I am SO sorry that not only did you have a Dansko-related injury, but a Zach-related one, too. I feel like I can really relate to that.
Because this is becoming an impromptu “Screw My Danskos” blog here, I’ll chime in that I badly sprained my ankle thanks to mine. After getting the crappiest parking space of my entire collegiate career on the last day of my last set of exams my senior year, I plummeted down a flight of stairs while descending from the top of the parking deck. Instead of spending my morning doing some last-minute studying, I spent it in the infirmary getting x-rays. But have I given up my Danskos? Nosiree! In fact, in the last year I’ve added the patent leather and tooled leather versions of them to my stable!
They are totally the Blobby of shoes.
So it had nothing to do with the couple pitchers we had at Casa? Nothing at all? OK then. :) (Actually, I didn’t notice a thing.)
My poor daughter was traumatized by the Parise goal, and by that I mean we all jumped off the couch and screamed, and scared the hell out of the poor kid.
Rebecca, even as I complain about not having any other shoes to wear, I’m WEARING MY DANSKOS because I know they are my best chance for a fast recovery. Sigh.
WOW! Schnookie, I’m impressed! You also are emboldening me to forgive my Danskos. If you can do it, so can I. :P
Mike, I think a little kid would have been traumatized by me too on that goal. That was some fun times.
Aww, Kate! I hope you’re off IR in time for the playoffs! I’m a walking train wreck so the only shoes I ever wear are sneakers. I did, however, almost have an accident when Zach scored. I was on the thruway passing a tractor trailer for the goal. When your first reaction is to throw your hands in the air and scream, the safest place to be is NOT next to a big truck.
I lost the radio signal by the time Crosby scored. Which is probably a good thing.
Sorry to hear you’re hurt!
I know I should just shut up and walk away, but isn’t the entire purpose of shoes to protect your feet/ankles/legs? I can’t think of a single pair of shoes I’ve ever worn again after just one questionable mishap. Then again, I’m the guy you see wearing steel toe, insulated, gore-tex, 9-inch work boots every day of the year. It’s sick… I don’t even OWN a pair of sneakers.
You are totally right, Matt. Shoes that hurt you are not your friends.
mcguffers, I’m so glad you didn’t die when the tie goal was scored. You’d have been such a pissed off ghost fifteen minutes later.
You’d have been such a pissed off ghost fifteen minutes later.
Ahahaha! And I’d most definitely haunt Derek Roy until the Sabres win a Stanley Cup.
oh my god that is ridiculously funny. except that it isn’t. but you make it funny. seriously, please write a book.
Dansko should partner up with this dude!
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/03/03/ishoe.mit.award/index.html?hpt=Mid
I actually fell flat on my face last November while wearing these shoes. My ankle turned while I was crossing the street and my front teeth punched through my lip and shattered. I had to get a root canal and two caps.
Hi! I just fell yesterday while wearing my Danskos. Traffic was bad going to work, so I was a few minutes late. I was walking fast and my ankle turned, and I fell down on my hands and knees. When I got up, my left foot was in excruciating pain! I limped on up to my floor, a co-worker wrapped my foot with an ace bandage, and I went ahead and took report. Another nurse got me to put an ice pack on it for 15 minutes, but it still hurt. My charge nurse sent me to Employee Health, and they got it x-rayed. Then my charge nurse talked me into going home to rest. It turned out that it isn’t fractured, but I have a big bruise on the top of my foot, and it is somewhat swollen. I missed work yesterday and today because of the pain. I just got my Danskos in July, and loved how my legs and hips didn’t hurt after being on my feet for a 12-hour shift as a med/surg nurse in a busy hospital. Now I don’t know what to do! I spent over $100 on these shoes, the most I’ve ever spent on a pairs of shoes in my life!!! I’m afraid to wear them again!
I could call a blog “12 Screws to Danskos”. I was having some feet problems and a friend recommended Danskos. They really seemed to help – I had them only two weeks. I feel down the steps and fractured tibia and fibula. I now have 12 screws and 2 stainless steel plates holding my my ankle to my leg (see ORIF of the Ankle for how serious and painful this injury is). For those who have rolled on them before, be warned…painful surgery, six weeks with no weight on the foot, 60 to 120 days of therapy to follow…my ortho called them “ankle breakers” and thought that they had taken them off the market….
I just tripped the other day in mine, and now I’m going to go get an x-ray done to see if I broke my humerus from the fall.
I am done. This is probably the seventh time I have tripped in them from being a convert about seven or so years ago, but I got really hurt this time. I am switching to black New Balances. :) I borrowed my sister’s the other day, and they are wonderful for sure.
Just before Christmas I rolled my foot off my Danskos (which I also LOVE!) I have a Jone’s fracture to the 5th metatarsa (foot) which is notorious for poor healing d/t poor blood supply. I had a pin put in and have been non weight bearing since (no fun)…. I am a bedside nurse and just hoping I will be able to work again. Be forewarned…they are not safe shoes!
Im a hairstylist loved my danskos until the third time i rolled my ankle in them i went to the airport today to pick up my daughter and my 1 year old grandaughter i was carrying my grandaughter and twisted my ankle falling to the ground in the parking lot at denver international airport dropping my grandaughter i am so upset not relizing it was my shose until the third time my grandaughter suffered scratches on her side and i have a very swollen blue ankle and scratched knee
Hi, I too am a hairstylist and just broke my ankle with these shoes. My other foot is sprained. Off work for 8 weeks and had to have surgery. I have 6 pairs. Never again with I wear these!
I too rolled my ankle and really hurt my left foot and right knee. If you are walking to your car determined to complete your list of “things to do” and out of nowhere your Danskos fail you, the injury is serious. You are correct: they are dangerous. I have communicated with Dansko and they tell me that “this one time” they will exchange them. So is it their policy to allow one to exchange their shoes each time you take a fall? Do I take the chance and see if the next fall requires surgery and pins like some of you, or do I tell Dansko I want a refund regardless of their offer for a return and another pair of shoes?
I knew I would find this info. I fell, again, on Easter Sunday. The old left ankle rolled left and I went down hard on my right knee. Holy momma’, it was painful. This is not the first time I have fallen in my Danskos – i fell a month ago, as well. I have 4 pair of Danskos and I absolutely love them. I, too, have sworn them off in the past but always go back to them!! i do not want to suffer with Dansko Death but I swear these shoes seem to be the enemy. I seem to fall when there is a sidewalk/grass combination going on. Somehow, my left foot hits an uneven area and there is no warning of “girl, you are going down”…..Enough is enough. I have been wearing Lemmings (formerly Stem) – the lightest most comfortable flat shoe ever – I love them and i feel secure when walking. Maybe i won’t take another death dive again, ever.
I was at work wearing my dansko’s I own 2 pair was walking stepped on a rock broke my ankle spiral fracture luckily no surgery yet
I rolled my foot wearing dansko’s (clogs with sandal straps) several years ago on an uneven blacktop driveway. It took weeks for my foot to stop hurting. Last week I went to a conference and decided to wear the danskos again. The shoe got caught in a seam in the sidewalk and when my foot rolled with a loud crack, which was my 5th metatarsal fracturing, according to the orthopedic surgeon. This has never happened in my birkenstocks or other shoes.
Ironically, the X-ray technician was wearing danskos and she said she fell in the hospital parking lot and said her shoes trip her up at least once a month. I asked her why she keeps wearing them and she said they are kind to her back. The nurse in the surgeon’s office told me she had to stop wearing danskos entirely. What is it about these shoes? I will never wear them again, that’s for certain.
I fell twice last winter in my Dansko professional clogs and thought it was ‘just me’ being inattentive or rushing too much. Nope. I went to a store that sold Danskos and the *manager* there told me it happened to him – problem with the clogs. That makes sense – I’ve never fallen before wearing these clogs, and I’m a fit, healthy 40-something who runs half-marathons. Dansko offered to refund my money. I won’t wear the clogs again, but I have two pairs of sandals that have been ok so far.
I fell at work and I was wearing my Danskos. I ended up with a misplaced tibia, torn ligament and 2 broken malleolus bones in my right ankle. I had to have surgery immediately and a plate and screws added for stablization of my ankle. I know there would not have been so much damage done if I werent wearing my Danskos due to the unforgiving high sole. I’m a bedside nurse and need good feet, ankles, and legs to earn a living!! I loved my Danskos and own 2 pairs but will never wear them again for as long as I live!!
I was wearing Sanita Clogs from an office to my desk area and my ankle went out from under me, my foot twisted inward and under and I fell flat in front of my desk, my first day back to work from vacation too – I broke the base of my 5th metatarsal bone in the foot. I’m wearing a foot cast now and using crutches. I cannot express how horrible these clogs are, I’ve had my ankle go out just from stepping out of my car before, never thought I would end up with a broken foot. I bought them because I have back problems. Thanks so much to Dansko and Sanita for saving backs and breaking feet in the process (miserable and angry at these shoe companies).
Reading all the above comments makes me feel better about falling right in front of our church while carrying my 6 month old grandson…. Luckily I was quick enough to turn my body and shield him from hitting the sidewalk. I landed on my side and scaped a knee and a big bruise on hip, but at least had a safe baby! It was the second fall that week while wearing my Danskos. I too loved wearing them and like all the other nurses above found them wonderful for long hours on my feet and for that tired back. But I will have stop wearing them. After 1 1/2 year they still look like new but am afraid to give them to my daughter lest she fall and break something.
Laurie – my goodness you and your grandson were SO lucky nothing worse happened! I called the shoe company today that I purchased them from and they are going to reimburse me and let me return them (The Sanita’s) because apparently Sanita shoes cause people to “roll their ankles” as they are made for more narrow feet like mine. Apparently Dansko stopped association with Sanita. Nobody told me when I purchased these shoes that I was at risk for “ankle rolling”! I am glad they are taking the shoes back and reimbursing me but – I think they should STOP selling them to customers!
I broke my foot, the outside bone along the side of my foot, Not willing to try to spell it and embarrass my self at this time. It happened two days ago and I am completely immobile. Not to mention out of work with medical bills I cannot afford. Not only does this make me mad, it makes me so sad because I thought Dansko’s were going to be my answer to sore tired feet. I was working 2 jobs and on my feet constantly.
I’ve been an RN for 30 years. I just started wearing Danskos several months ago, the first pair was a gift. I “fell off of my shoes” twice & decided it was because they were too big. I got a smaller size and did great. Then I bought 2 other pairs for a total of 3 pairs PLUS a pair of Dansko boots! Three days ago I fell in them at work and have a badly sprained ankle and a broken leg! Will Danko refund my money for ALL of my Danskos?
Fell off my Danskos 1 week ago- fractured upper arm- think I dislocated my jaw as well-very painful
Going on a month now with daily pain in my foot and ankle after rolling my ankle while holding my toddler and wearing my Danskos. The extra thirty pounds on my left ankle seems to have done some extra damage.
I just had a bad fall because of my beloved Danskos. It was an open compound fracture that required emergency surgery and plates and pins in the tibia and fibula. No other explanation for the accident other than the shoe didn’t land flat and my ankle rolled over. Never again.
I knew it wasn’t just me. I rolled my ankle (again) yesterday and am shocked I wasn’t more injured. That is the last time. I’m not risking a permanent injury for these shoes! I’m now on a quest for slip on shoes that are comfortable but not too frumpy. Hard to find!
I was wearing Danskos around the house to break them in, fell off one step, broke my shoulder in five (FIVE!) places, will be out of work six weeks, will take 6 months for full recovery and even then may not have full range of motion for my arm. why is a product that is so flawed even on the market?
Wow, this blog has really been an eye opener….I fell two weeks ago in my kitchen and was wearing dansko clogs. I remember turning my ankle and fell face first in the floor. The bone at the top of my left arm broke. I AM IN A SLING FOR 4 to 6 weeks, If the bone moves I will have to have surgery. After all I have been through and read what some of you have been through I will not be wearing dansko or sanita clogs anymore!
I just discovered this website after going in for x-rays today and hearing about the “Dansko Fracture” from my doctor. I have to admit that I feel much better now that I can blame it on the clogs and not the sangria I drank that night or that I’d had too much fun ice-skating that day! What I can’t get over is how fast I went down–someone should really do a study on the physics of this. I’m sorry to hear of the bad accidents that people have had. It’s scary to have a fall when you’re holding a baby.
Have been a long time Dansko wearer and survivor of rolled ankles. I just did it again and wasn’t so lucky. Transverse fracture of the malleolus and out of commission for 8 weeks. Good shoes for standing, just don’t move!
WOW, so glad to find this! Over the last few years a have fallen many times, all from rolling my ankle, while wearing dansko’s that had saved my feet from so much pain, thereby saving my job which is on my feet. I take a bad fall several times a year. not sure what to do now. Go back to the severe foot pain or chance wearing the dansko’s.
I contacted Dansko to ask for money to replace my shoes and two pairs of torn pants from two scary, but relatively injury-free falls. They first tried to get me to accept another pair of shoes. Then they offered a refund of my clogs. Has anyone else had any experiences with them?
I emailed Dansko and told them of my broken ankle. They wanted to give me another pair of shoes! I told them to go to this blog! It’s been 1 1/2 years since my injury and I am still healing.
Grip the hair in different white hair treatment young age areas do
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Her eyes widen So you don’t want me for my mother’s address.
I fell about 4 times wearing Danskos. I a. A nurse and liked thaw arch and the height they added. The last time I fell my right ankle rolled. I pitched forward to the right and could not stop the momentum. I reached for the wrought iron fence to try to stop my fall, but couldn’t reach it. I went Dow and my face hit the fence. Thank God my eye wasn’t hurt and my cheekbone was not fractured. Had to go to ER. Had a bad black eye and when it healed I was left with a dent in my face just below the right cheekbone. I tried having it filled but 2 months after filling with EXPENSIVE Radiesse, the dent is back. I am stuck with it now. Have about 8 pairs of Danskos. I don’t know if I should sell, or even give them away. They are dangerous because of the ankle roll (not a dance).
I have also unfortunately been on the receiving end of a Dansko fracture! Two weeks ago while helping a friend with bad knees down a short staircase, my Danskos rolled right out from under my ankle leaving me with a trimalleolar fracture. I have already been out of work for 2 weeks for surgery and can expect a few more weeks ahead. Does anyone have information on Dansko corporate? I will at least attempt to get the cost of the two pairs of shoes I have. There should definitely be a warning on these shoes!
I have fallen twice on my beloved Sanitas, and thankfully, only suffered a pair of broken glasses, some bruised knees, and three stitches in the elbow. I too have suffered from foot pain in the form of plantar fascitis, and these shoes were a godsend for work (on my feet all day), AND they offered them in stylish colors. So, I bought a pair in every color to match every outfit. Now I am terrified to wear them, but still am…people think I’m crazy, and they must be right…
Well, I bought my first pair of Danskos in the Fall and had worn them about six times–loved the way the clogs felt and looked; however Saturday night I just walked into my bedroom and fell suddenly and now have a broken right foot and can’t drive for six weeks! I thought I would try them again, but after reading all of this, I think I’m going to try to get my money back–paid over a $100 for them. Shirley
I’ve done it too. Twice now — the fifth metatarsal fracture. You would think I’d have learned after the first time. I loved my Dankso clogs, but they rolled on me one afternoon in 2009 as I dashed to catch a phone in the office. Broke my left fifth metatarsal (outer edge of the foot). I didn’t wear the Danskos again for a long time, but gradually resumed because they are so cute and comfortable. Last Monday, while walking to my car in those shoes, the edge of the sole caught the pavement and caused my foot to roll out again. Suddenly I was on the ground with another broken foot. Ugh. Goodbye Dansko clogs. I’ll never wear them again.
I hope you contacted the company. I will be. I have fallen so many times and each time has been really bad. Not as bad as breaking something but when I was pregnant I fell forward very hard and very scary. I do not fall regularly in any other shoe like I fall in dansko a and After reading these posts I realize it’s not me.
Highly energetic blog, I loved that a lot. Will there be a
part 2?
Wow! I am overwhelmed by all these stories!! I have worn these for 8 years and have been thrown to the ground on 3 different occasions. It is almost like someone just pushed me down. It came from no where. I should have stopped wearing them then. I am a hairstylist and stand for a living and they work great for that. Last week I was walking out my front door, must have stepped on the doorsill and the shoes threw me to the ground. I have a broken ankle with a metal plate and screws and the other foot is sprained. I will be off of work for 8 weeks! One fall was their clog and the other falls were Mary Janes. I will never wear them again!
Well, it is interesting to hear so many accidents involving Danskos. They are cute and classy look nice with pants and really hold up nicely.
I too fell actually did a face plant broke my glasses and totally embarrassed myself as it was a busy intersection and my ankle turn on a small pebble.
that was the second time falling in my Danskos.
Now my friend shows up for lunch and has a skinned up nose, chin and scratched glasses…Yep, a classic Dansko face plant.
I put my Danskos on EBAY and they promptly sold…Good luck,
I’d like to find out more? I’d want to find out more details.
when you are going down in danskos there is no way to stop yourself and I just can’t understand why or how I have such epic falls in these shoes?! I always fall forward and the looks I get are sort of “how the hell did you fall just walking looks.” I fell today walking into a store for no good reason and thought to myself that I’m surprised they haven’t been sued or fixed the issue, and that’s how I found this post. The moment your heal turns you know your going down hard. Like you said I will still probably wear them because they are the only shoes that don’t hurt but I’m beginning to think these shoes have and agenda to kill me one day.
I fell and broke my ankle last Oct. while wearing my Dansko shoes. It was the 4th time I have fallen in 8 years. Sadly, I didn’t listen to my shoes and broke something this time. I have a plate and 4 screws, was off work 3 months and now have tendonitis and scar tissue issues. It has been 5 months and I am still not healed. I gave all 4 pairs of Danskos to the Goodwill. And YES, you are correct. You just fall forward for no apparent reason as if a 200 pound man pushed you. A small pebble can take you down. These shoes should be banned!
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Wore danskos for over 10 years. Loved loved loved them. Tripped on them slightly this year. Final trip on Feb 29, 2016 gave me a dislocated shoulder and server neropothy down my right arm. I am right handed. I wouldn’t wish this PAIN and the year it’s going to take me to get my hand movement back on anyone. DON’T WEAR THEM NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU LOVE THEM.
Well, I am joining the face planting club, all it took was a small rock and fast walking.I now have 2, one inch cuts above my right eye , a very very black eye and a new lens ordered for my glasses. Thank goodness no broke bones. The Tamara Dansko’s will now go in the trash. I do not want someone else to be hurt.
I am recovering from surgery on my left shoulder which I broke because of my Danskos tipping and throwing me off balance. Boy the pain and suffering, not sure how long the recovery will be. I plan to contact the company. WHY DON’T THEY REDESIGN THE HEEL?
Me: three- way fracture at the proximal end of the humerus, followed by at least nine weeks in a sling after fall on a paved lane. Did I step on a stone? The Danskos are going!
I just fractured my left 5th metatarsal wearing my Danskos at work. I was just walking down the hall and rolled my foot. I am in a boot for 4 weeks.
I had to file workman’s comp but my adjuster says they probably won’t pay for it.
What do you think?
Should this be workman’s comp?
Yep, I broke my foot wearing shoes. I step out of back door. One step down. I stepped unevenly? I stepped and me in the Danso shoes bent my ankle I’m wrong direction & I fell. Now, you’d think I’d learn. But no, walking dog today I almost went head first into ditch. These shoes are so absolutely UNSAFE…. But they are also so comfortable. Idk… they are like crack shoes. Not good for you – but feels so good. I’m addicted. lol