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.