Have you ever wondered how wearing heels can affect your feet? Doctors Elizabeth Ko and Eve Glazier at UCLA Health have an answer. Here is what they say:
The shape of the shoe, with its elevated heel, forces the ball of the foot to bear significantly more pressure with each step than a normal footfall. Helping to absorb that extra force are the connective tissues in the feet and the heads of the delicate metatarsal bones. Regular use of high heels can cause structural changes to the foot, leading to conditions that require surgical intervention, such as bunions or hammertoe.
Standing and walking in heels can also lead to a painful condition known as metatarsalgia, in which the ball of the foot becomes inflamed and difficult to walk on. At the same time, raising a wearer’s heels prevents the muscles of the calf, as well as the Achilles tendon, from stretching to their full length. This can lead to the heel pain and tenderness of Achilles tendonitis, and to plantar fasciitis. This is inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is a thick band of fibrous tissue along the bottom of the foot. It supports the arch and connects the heel bone to the Achilles tendon.
Studies have shown that this foreshortening of muscles and tendons can become permanent in people who habitually wear high heels. So can the changes to posture, gait, and balance that this type of footwear causes. Because high heels alter the center of gravity, wearers are forced to arch their lower backs to maintain balance, often leading to back pain.
In addition to structural damage, high heels are the culprits in thousands of emergency room visits each year. A study published in 2015 found that ERs treated 123,355 injuries incurred by wearing high heels over a 10-year period.
These doctors recommend shoes with lower heels and generous padding. You can even add padded inserts. They suggest alternating wearing heels with flats. Add foot raises and a gentle Achilles tendon stretch to your regular workout routine.
I told my girlfriend to read this article. She wears heels constantly, and I mean 4″ and higher. She would wear them to bed if she could.
I stopped wearing super high heels a long time ago because I could tell it wasn’t good for my feet. But for a special occasion, high heels look great on many women.