3D Scans Show How High Heels Hurt Feet

High heels hurt feet, even though many of you likely have closets full of them. In fact, stilettos are so tough on your toes and ankles that Lily Collins said she saw her podiatrist every week while filming Emily in Paris and rocking high heels daily. So, we know that these shoes don’t feel great. But how can we be sure they cause lasting damage? Here’s what you need to know.

The Science on How High Heels Hurt Feet

We now have 3D scans that show how foot placement in a high heel can impair form and function. According to orthopedic surgeons, you put all of your body mass on your toes when you wear heels. And that can cause inflammation.  For that reason, you should limit the amount of time you spend in high heels. And if you have to wear them, try to alternate your shoes throughout the day.

Wearing high heels can hurt feet, toes and ankles. If you suffer from foot pain due to excessive high heel use, our doctors can help.

Effect of High-Heels on Feet

Women have been wearing high-heels for hundreds of years, mostly for aesthetic reasons. These shoes can make you look taller and make legs look longer and thinner. Unfortunately, they can also change your gait and posture. And high heels hurt feet in many other ways.

High heels limit motion in your ankle joints, adding to the burden placed on them by the weight of your body. Wearing heels can also cause shortening in your calf muscle and Achilles tendon, as well as stiffening your Achilles tendon as well, which can lead to pain and inflammation.

Furthermore, when you force your toes into a small toe box, you put pressure on the ball of the foot. In turn, high-heels hurt feet with an increased risk for corns, hammertoes, bunions, Morton’s neuroma and plantar fasciitis.

Wearing high-heels regularly, especially very high ones, can have long term negative effects on many other parts of your body, not just your feet. Your knees are at extreme risk because wearing high heels keeps them constantly bent, and at a dangerous, slightly inward, angle. Walking in this position can increase your risk for osteoarthritis later in life, while increasing stress on your joints every time you wear these shoes.

Now, just because high heels hurt feet doesn’t mean you can never wear them. It just means you need to be smart about when and how you do rock stilettos. So, to stay safe, try to limit heel height to three inches or less. Choose wedge or platform styles over narrow heels with pointed toes. And, if you’re still experiencing foot pain after wearing your favorite shoes, reach out to the office to request an appointment.