Long-term effects of wearing high heels – Expert Advice
Did you know that there are long-term effects of wearing high heels? It not only causes problems with your feet, but also the Achilles heel, foot-balls and it can cause bunions and corns.
Wearing high heeled shoes has been the height of fashion for decades. Stylishly making the wearer look both taller and more slender, high heels are worn by some as occasional wear, by others on a daily basis.
However, did you know that there are many foot problems associated with prolonged wearing of high heels? These conditions range in severity, but can all be treated by a podiatrist!
An unnatural position for your feet – wearing high heels
Firstly, let’s recognise that the high heel is not a natural stance. The foot is distorted and weight distribution is concentrated onto a small area, rather than evenly across the whole foot. Over time, your foot will suffer and damage can occur.
The Achilles Heel
The achilles tendon joins the calf muscle to your foot. It has been observed that excessive wearing of high heels can cause the achilles tendon to shorten and stiffen, leading to pain and discomfort when wearing shoes without heels.
The plantar fascia ligament connects the heel to the front of your foot, supporting the arch. Intensive wearing of high heels can cause this ligament to swell, stiffen and cause pain. This is particularly noticeable after resting, or first thing in morning. It is a condition known as, Plantar Fasciitis/Fasciopathy
Foot-balls
The lifted, elongated position means that your weight is not distributed evenly through the whole foot. This stresses the area around the ball of the foot, where the sesamoid and toe bones meet. Constant pressure on this area can cause inflammation and pain.
Similarly, the nerve tissue between the metatarsals can become inflamed due to your toes being squeezed together and stressed through concentrated weight application. This causes a neuroma, a thickening of the nerve tissue, which results in a burning pain from the balls of your feet and toes.
Putting the squeeze on
Constantly squeezing your feet into a small, pointy shoe can cause a deformity called “hammer toe”, where over time, the toes bend and contract so that they can no longer straighten out. Sufferers experience pain, discomfort and eventually, permanent disfigurement of the foot. This is a progressive condition where early treatment is preferable.
Furthermore, squished feet and toes are more susceptible to the formation of corns and bunions.
A ‘corn’ forms as a result of unusual friction and pressure, often on the tops of toes at the joints, although they can also form wherever there is an excessive amount of pressure from a poorly fitting shoe. The corn is the body’s way of defending itself from persistent abrasion, by thickening up the skin of the affected area.
Bunions are painful bony growths protruding from the base of the big toe, and can cause the toe to bend ‘inwards’ towards the other toes.
Finally, ingrown toenails can result from your toes being crushed together. With no space, the toenails grow into the surrounding flesh, which can be extremely painful.
From heel to heal.
If you are suffering from high heel hells, Livingston Chiropody and Podiatry can provide treatment and advice, and put a spring back into your step!