foodconsumer.org: High-Heels can lead to disabling foot problems

High-Heels can lead to disabling foot problems
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admin on 09/29/2009 23:37:00
 
Ancient Egyptian butchers wore high heels to help them walk above the blood of
slaughtered beasts, says randomhistory.com.
While women today wear heels for perhaps other reasons, researchers say they may
be butchering their feet.
OK, not butchering per se, but creating heel and ankle pain that can lead to
"disabling foot problems" later in life, according to a recent study.
In a survey of 3,300 men and women, more than 64 percent of women who wore
high-heels, or other "poor" shoes, at some time in their life reported heel and
ankle pain as they aged, said researchers.
"We found an increased risk of hind-foot pain among women who wore shoes, such
as high-heels or pumps, that lack support and sound structure," said lead author
Alyssa B. Dufour, of the Institute for Aging Research of Hebrew SeniorLife.
Shoe types for the study were classified as "poor" if they were high-heels,
pumps or sandals and slippers. Shoes classified as "average" included hard or
rubber-soled shoes and athletic sneakers were classified as "good."
More than 60 percent of the women reported wearing "poor" shoes, as compared to
only two percent of men.
A biochemical shock hits the foot each time a step is taken, said researchers,
and "poor" shoe types are unable to absorb this shock. The "good" shoes like
sneakers soften the shock and protect the foot.
Poor fitting shoes can cause a number of foot problems including bunions, corns,
calluses, hammertoes and other disabling foot problems, according to the study.
More than 43 million Americans have foot problems, many of which are serious
enough to warrant medical attention.
Dufour said there are a variety of ways to prevent damage to the foot. They
include opting for comfort rather than style or fashion for shoe selection.
Judge shoes by how they fit, not by the size marked on the box; shoe sizes vary
by brand and style.
Have both feet measured when buying shoes, she said, as foot size increases with
age. Fit shoes to your longest foot as most people have one foot that is larger
than the other. And she said to avoid high-heels and shoes with pointed or
tapered toes.
By Sheilah Downey sheilahd at foodconsumer dot org