High Heels....Dangerous for Women

As a podiatrist, much of my day involves treating fellow ladies who have fallen victim to fashion with frequent wear of high heel shoes.

The human foot was once described by Leonardo Da Vinci as “a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art”, and this is evidenced by our ability to walk, run, jump, and play. However, it doesn’t take much to upset the fine balance between precision function and disaster. High heels, by their nature shift the body’s anatomy into foreign territory, causing marked postural and alignment strain.

By elevating the heel bone (calcaneus) there is an immediate change in the distribution of weight under the feet from the heel to the forefoot – the percentage of which is directly proportional to the height of the heel. With regular use, the calf muscles in the lower leg can permanently shorten, leaving you unable to comfortably wear flat shoes and further increasing pressure under the ball of the foot.

Habitual high heel wearers will invariably, at some point, suffer pain and disability because of this alteration in the way our body adapts to the ground and distributes weight.
Common complaints can include calluses, corns and blisters to more permanent deformities including bunions, hammer toes and acquired flat feet. It additionally can contribute to increased incidences of fractures of the ankle and metatarsals (forefoot), arthritis, pinched nerves, tendonitis and other soft tissue injuries and inflammation.

Before you lose faith and trust in all things fashionable, here’s some tips on how to minimise risk while wearing your heels:

• Moderation is the key: Avoid wearing heels when walking to and from work. Also, kick off the pumps in the office and replace with flats.
• Pick shoes that suit the activity for the day: Flats or shoes with only a slight heel are best for standing and walking, whereas heels may be suitable during a seated meeting or dinner date.
• Keep the heel height sensible: Anything over 5cm is hazardous and should be for only special occasions.
• Stilettos: A dangerous shoe for ankle sprains and fractures. Try broader heels with more stability and tread on the ground.
• Stretch your calf muscles regularly to improve fl exibility and reduce the likelihood of muscle contraction.

Seek immediate assistance from our office, should you experience pain, swelling or a change in shape of any part of your foot. Our office number is 440-946-5858.