High heeled shoes can pose many risks to your feet. Some of the most common problems include "pump bump", an unnatural foot position, and sprained ankles.
Pump Bump: This painful knot on the back of the heel is
caused by wearing high heeled shoes. The material on the back of the shoe
presses on this bump causing pressure which can lead to blisters, bursitis, and
pain in the Achilles tendon.
Unnatural Foot Position: The
position your foot is forced into puts stress on the ball of the foot. Bones
and nerves can become inflamed, and this stress can even lead to hairline fractures.
Sprained Ankle: The chances of
rolling your ankle increases when wearing high heels. Ligaments can stretch or
tear. A severe sprain can even lead to osteoarthritis down the road.
Try to keep heel height to a
maximum of 2”. The closer you can keep your foot to its natural position, the
better. Also, the thicker the heel, the better. Stilettos, which are ultra
narrow heels, cause your weight to be concentrated on one area. Your walking
can easily become unbalanced, making you more likely to sprain your ankle.
Chunkier heels distribute your weight more evenly. Remember, any size heel you
wear will put extra stress on the ball of your foot.
Image by Brunella Martin. Recap. (2011). Flickr.
No comments:
Post a Comment