We wear heels for a number of reasons. They're sexy, they make us a few inches taller (which also makes us look a little slimmer) and they make our calves pop. As much as we love them, many of us can't wear them for long periods of time without experiencing excruciating pain that makes it almost unbearable to take another step. While the pain may ease soon after you get home and kick off your stilettos, or slide them off under the conference table, the pain is a key indicator that high heels may be causing long-term damage.
“High heels are responsible for many painful conditions in women's feet. If I see 100 people with non-traumatic foot pain, probably 80 of them are women, and probably half of those women experience pain due to the wearing of high heels or tight shoes, either in the past or presently,” said Dr. Barbara Bergin, an orthopedic surgeon based in Austin, TX.
There are some high-end brands that offer more comfort like, Nine West and Steve Madden. But, even the most comfortable shoes could still mean compromising balance and pretty feet for a few (younger) years of fashion. Many orthopedics recommend wearing a flat or barefoot style of shoe as opposed to a high heel.
“High heels force the forefoot down into the narrowest part of the shoe. This is a direct cause of the common conditions of hallux valgus (bunions) and Morton's neuroma (a condition caused by the squeezing of the toes and subsequent damage to the delicate nerves between the toes),” said Dr. Bergin.
If you have wide feet, the deformity and damage can be much greater, resulting in having hammer toes.
A condition called metatarsalgia can also develop. This means painful metatarsals (the ends of the bones at the "ball" of the foot).
“Women often complain that they feel as if they are standing on a stone. This is the result of [having] pressure on the bottom of the foot and it can also be due to a shifting of the pressure from one part of the foot to another (compensation),” said Dr. Bergin.
According to the American Osteopathic Association, wearing high heels can also cause ingrown toenails and irreversible damage to leg tendons. High heels have also been linked to injured leg muscles, osteoarthritis of the knee and low back pain.
Fashionista Newsflash
Wearing high heels now can ruin your chances of wearing them when you're older. According to Leslee Hill, the president of Hill Image, an image consulting company, shoes can be a game changer for any ensemble especially after menopause and gravity take their course on our bodies. But, if you aren't able to wear heels or flats without support, your outfit (and overall image) can suffer.
“I have worked with hundreds of women who have foot issues and are therefore limited in their shoe options. I have seen hammer toes and bunions and fallen arches - all effects of wearing high heels for many years. It is not pretty. Moreso, it affects their fashion as they age. There’s no denying that menopause changes our figure and gravity affects our elasticity," said Hill.
Consider limiting the amount of time you spend wearing and standing in heels to protect your feet for the long term.
