Head Over Heels

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Head Over Heels

In a recent survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association, 42% of women admitted to wearing uncomfortable shoes, all in the name of fashion. And everybody knows that the most fashionable shoes typically flaunt a painfully high heel and an oh-so-pointy toe. So is there a way to combine fabulous footwear with sensible style? Stay tuned as today’s guest, podiatric surgeon Suzanne M. Levine, discusses how everyone, no matter what age, can take a step in the right direction.

A “High” Price to Pay

Pumps may be pretty, but the damage they can cause definitely is not. The initial injuries occur directly on the foot – calluses, hammertoes, corns, ingrown toenails and bunions, to name a few. But what few people know is that consistently wearing high heels can have repercussions on the rest of the body as well. The position of your foot in a high heel throws off your center of gravity, disturbing your spinal alignment, which could lead to problems such as ankle sprains, heel spurs, and even the shortening of calf muscles.

When it comes to foot care, people over 70 should be especially concerned with osteoarthritis, as it has been directly linked to high heels. And don’t think you’re getting off easy by wearing a wider-heeled shoe: the April 7, 2001 issue of The Lancet demonstrates that wide heels increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis in the knee as much as, if not more than, narrow heels.

Reclaim Your Feet

Luckily, much of the damage caused by the consistent wear of high heels is treatable. But as is the case with most health-related problems, the earlier treatment is sought, the easier it is to heal. Corns and calluses are treatable with most over-the-counter pads, or at home with an exfoliating moisturizer and a pumice stone. Tendons which were once stunted can easily be stretched back into shape with certain exercises that your doctor can provide. Even hammertoes and bunions can be treated at the right stage with specific orthopedic devices and protective padding. Unfortunately however, once the deformities get to a rigid state, surgery is the only way to correct the problem.