High heels have gone sky high in the past few years but heels only as high as two inches, if worn regularly over a long period of time cause leg and foot problems later in life.
There is new information that demonstrates the particular maladies that plague high heel wearers and while some can be overcome, there are others that affect women for the long term.
The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) published a report that adds to data gathered over the course of years about the evils of wearing high heels. Heel aficionados develop a way of walking that affects their gait when wearing flat shoes.
It begins with the fact that "...high-heeled shoes... force the foot into a plantarflexed position." The study population consisted of 9 habitual high heel wearers who had worn shoes with a minimum heel height of about two inches for at least 40 hours a week for a minimum of 2 years, and 10 control participants who habitually wore heels for less than 10 hours per week.
According to NCBI results show study subjects in the 40 hour per week group developed shortened calf muscles, suffered from an increase in Achilles tendon stiffness and ultimately developed feet that remained in that flexed position that keeps toes pointed, even when walking barefoot.
From the study: " Long-term high heel use may also increase the risk of strain injuries.The results suggest that long-term high heel use may compromise muscle efficiency in walking, and are consistent with reports that high heel wearers often experience discomfort and muscle fatigue."
In other words, when a person suddenly switches to flat shoes or sneakers after high heel use for at least 40 hours a week for the period of the study, the foot remains in a pointed toe position, affecting gait.
Podiatrists treat high heel wearers for all sorts of ailments including the Achilles tendon problems referred to in the study, but also see the damage to nerves in the balls of the feet. Neuroma is a condition that some doctors liken to a pinched nerve.
It is a growth of nerve tissue situated between the third and fourth toes of the foot producing pain when walking. It can result in numbness as well and relief is found, outside of foot surgery, in cortisone shots or literally remaining off one's feet for as long as it takes to subside.
A return to high heels can and often does exacerbate the condition which is a tough pill to swallow for ladies who love their heels.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
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