Whether they're sky-high or mid-heel, this style is
notorious for
causing a painful knot on the back of
the heel.
The rigid material
presses on a bony deformity.
The
pressure leads to blisters, swelling, bursitis,
even pain in the
Achilles tendon.
Our orthotics along with better shoes. The bony protrusion is permanent.
Problem: Unnatural Foot Position
Ultra-high
heels force the feet into a position that puts
stress on the ball of
the foot. At this critical joint,
the long metatarsal bones meet the
pea-shaped
sesamoid bones, and the toe bones (phalanges).
Too much pressure can inflame these bones or the nerves that surround
them.
Chronic stress to the foot bones can even lead to hairline
fractures.
Solution: Go Low
Switching to lower heels will help you avoid problems
with the
metatarsal bones. The lower you go, the more
natural your foot position
will be. It's recommended
choosing heels that are no more than 2
inches high --
andeven those should be worn in moderation.
Problem: Ankle Sprains
All high heels boost the risk of an ankle sprain.
The most common
problem is a lateral sprain, which
happens when you roll onto the
outside of your foot.
This stretches the ankle ligaments beyond their
normal
length. A severe sprain may tear the ligaments. The risk of developing osteoarthritis rises with a severe sprain or
fracture of the ankle.
Flip-flops offer very little protection. The risk of getting
splinters
or other foot injuries is higher when the feet
are so exposed. People
with diabetes should not wear
flip-flops, because simple cuts and
scrapes can lead to
serious complications. In addition, many flip-flops
provide
no arch support. They can aggravate plantar
fasciitis and cause problems with the knees,
hips, or back.
Problem: Plantar Fasciitis
A band of tissue called the plantar fascia runs along
the bottom of the
foot. It pulls on the heel when you walk
-- and it works best with the
proper arch in your foot.
Walking barefoot, or in flimsy shoes without
sufficient
arch support, can overstretch, tear, or inflame the plantar
fascia. This common condition can cause intense heel
pain, and resting
the feet only provides temporary relief.
Platform Shoes
Platform shoes and wedges tend to have rigid foot beds. "That throws off
the biomechanics of walking,".
"Your foot is trying to
bend a certain way, but the shoe
is fighting you because it's so rigid."
If the heel of the
platform is much higher than the toe area, the shoe
also
puts pressure on the metatarsal bones.
Pointy Toes
They might be stylish, but shoes with pointy toes squeeze the entire
front of your foot together. After time, this can cause nerve pain,
bunions, blisters, and hammertoes. Some women even develop bruises under
their toenails from the constant pressure.
Problem: Bunions
A bunion is a painful lump at the base of the big toe, which maycause
the toe to bend unnaturally. It forms when the tissue or bone at the
base joint gets displaced. This may happen after years of abnormal
pressure and movement. Pointy-toed shoes are a common factor, which
explains the prevalence of bunions among women.
Problem: Toe Deformities
High heeled shoes push too much body weight toward the toes and then
squeeze them together. Over time, the result can be hammertoe (early
stage, lower right), abnormal bends in the toe joints that can gradually
become rigid. Surgery is sometimes needed to relieve the pain of severe
hammertoe. Crowding can cause other toe deformities, along with
continuous shoe friction, leading to painful corns and calluses.
Men's Trends
Pointy-toed shoes have crossed the gender line. This footwear fad
carries the same risk in men as in women – including hammertoes,
bunions, and pain. To avoid these problems, stick with a boxier toe.
