The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

HIGH-HEELED shoes may flatter the legs and give a chic appearance, however they are notorious for harming the feet. Many women can attest, heels are a favourite accessory. Any look is incomplete without the right pair.

Despite their importance in sprucing up an ensemble, Nurse Dawn Albury Gaitor, wound and foot specialist at Island Ostomy, suggests only wearing high heeled shoes for special occasions. She said many women choose to endure pain and discomfort in the name of style, but do not understand the health risks of wearing high-heeled shoes too often.

Just like problems with any of the body’s organs such as the lungs, heart or brain, problem with the feet must be taken seriously, she said.

“Your feet take a beating every day. If they start to hurt, you need to take that foot pain and any other problems seriously. If you had a headache every single day, you probably would not tell yourself, ‘Oh, well, another day, another headache. That’s part of life. But many people go through that very routine when it comes to sore feet. The health of your feet, despite their distance from your heart, can affect your overall health. Achiness or pain in your feet can have many causes, and no one should ignore foot pain or regard it as a normal part of life,” she told Tribune Health.

Nurse Albury-Gaitor also said a person’s foot health can be a clue to overall health. For instance, joint stiffness could mean arthritis; tingling or numbness could be a sign of diabetes; and swelling may indicate kidney disease, heart disease or high blood pressure.

“Some people do not realise that while running/walking, our feet spread and swell an average of 5 mm each time we strike the ground. Shoes that are too small do not allow our feet to spread, but instead confine our feet. This confinement can easily lead to decreased circulation, it can impinge nerves and cause the joints to bend in odd directions,” she said.

As a result of wearing high heeled shoes a number of issues can occur including blisters, corns, or calluses. Pain in the ball of one’s foot occurs when the spine bends backwards to compensate the forward push of the body when walking in heels. Ankle sprains are likely as well as benign tumours of nerves can occur between the toes.

“A heel higher than 3 inches puts seven times the pressure on the ball of your foot and can harm the bones. Heels are not just impractical when you are running to catch a bus. Shoes with high heels can lead to ankle sprains, knee and back problems, and injuries from falls. Add to that a host of other foot ailments, from blisters to heel pain to deformities. Wearing heels all the time can even make wearing flats impossible if your foot becomes used to the position of heels. This can lead to more serious problems, like bone spurs or Achilles tendon tears.

If your car tires are out of alignment, you can only drive so many miles before you are at risk of blowing a tire. The same is true for your body. Things need to be in alignment. It is recommended that you only wear high heels for special occasions and even then only a heel height of 1 1/2 inches, because the fat padding on the bottom of the feet thins out over time leading to calluses. Older women may find that this problem increases with age,” said Nurse Albury-Gaitor.

“Mix in flats and low pumps to your daily shoe wardrobe; wear flats for walking distances, take smaller steps in high heels, and try to buy short, chunky heels with plenty of room for your toes. It’s important to put your best foot forward,” she said.