1. A high heeled shoe forces the posture into an unnatural position that significantly stresses the joints. The spine, which in flat shoes is reasonably straight, forms more of an 'S' shape with the chest and lower back pushing forward and the hips pushed back. The height of the heel also changes the amount of weight on the forefoot. A 1-inch heel will increase the pressure by 22%; a 2-inch heel by 57%; and a 3-inch heel by 76%. This increased pressure puts the forefoot at risk for injuries such as stress fractures, bunions, and hammertoes.
2. Knee pain is common when high heels are involved. The heel height causes increased strain on the knee joint and associated tendons. The quadriceps muscle group in the front of the thigh works harder, increasing pressure on the kneecap by up to 26%. This can ultimately increase the incidence of osteoarthritis of the knee and quadriceps tendinitis.
3. Because of the constant elevation of the heel, contraction and shortening of the calf muscles and Achilles tendon may occur. Wearing high heels habitually can result in a woman no longer able to tolerate a flat shoe. On occasion, this can even require surgery to lengthen the Achilles tendon. Most often, however, this will increase the chances of Achilles tendinitis or shin splints. 4. The changes in posture and overall imbalance will lead to instability when walking and a resulting risk of ankle sprains. High heels, especially stilettos, will lead to instability and a major increase in ankle sprains result. An ankle sprain is caused from the twisting of the ankle and results in a tear of the ligaments that connect the foot and leg bones and stabilize the ankle. When the heel is balancing on a narrow stiletto heel, if the heel shifts outward slightly a sudden twist may occur to sprain these ligaments. Swelling, bruising and pain will result. At worst, it is possible for the ankle to fracture, a ligament can pull a piece of bone off, or even a bone in the foot can break due to the pull of a tendon.
5. High heels are enjoyed by most women because they are "cute." They are narrow and are contoured to make the foot look slender. The tight fit of many heels will force the toes to conform to its shape. The added pressure on the toes can exacerbate bunions and hammertoes. The pressure of the shoe itself can cause corns to form. Furthermore. The compression of the metatarsal bones can cause pressure on the nerves that run between them. A Morton's neuroma, which is a growth and inflammation of the nerve, can form due to the pressure. Remember, a shoe is meant to fit the foot, not squeeze it relentlessly.
While the overall percentage of women wearing high heels daily has decreased, the percentage reporting physical problems from wearing them has increased. This is likely due to the newer styles that have been introduced. Some have no choice but to wear the shoes for work, however comfort is a priority. Pain should not be a price for style. Be sure to always wear a shoe that is right for your foot. Of course, if the pain continues, be sure and visit your podiatrist.
No child should feel restricted in the amount he or she walks, runs, or plays because of pain. There are no exceptions: There is no such thing as "normal" foot pain for a child. Here in Houston, Texas, we have our kids scheduled with nonstop sports and dancing, not to mention school. It is so important to keep our children moving without pain.
Many parents understand that their children should not be in pain and do the right thing when they notice their child is not feeling right - they go to visit their pediatrician. Unfortunately, 90% of the time they will hear what is taught to physicians worldwide who treat children: "He'll grow out of it." Sound like a cop-out? It usually is.
Let's take a look at some different problems. The most common is when a child wakes up in the middle of the night with a leg cramp. This is commonly called "growing pains." Growing pains should not be of concern if they occur infrequently. When it occurs, have the child stand and "walk it off." If it is a nightly occurrence, even several times a week, you should visit with your child's doctor.
More concerning are pains that the child feels when standing, walking, or running. These are most commonly caused by biomechanical imbalances that cause instability of the leg and foot. These children often need to visit with a podiatrist for the issues to be addressed. Usually a custom orthotic is used for this purpose.
Very young children often have trouble telling their parents about the pain in their legs and feet. They often don't understand what they are feeling but know something is wrong. Parents often get frustrated with these children when they whine that their feet hurt. Sometimes these kids just sit down in the middle of the mall because they don't want to walk anymore. These children also often seem clumsy and trip over their own feet.
Older children know that activity makes them uncomfortable and will opt for activities in which they can be more sedentary. These kids may feel that they are bad at sports, so they avoid them. Many times, these children will walk "like a duck" with their feet angled away from one another. A parent may also notice the inside of the ankle rolling over the foot. If it looks painful, it probably is.
Just because a child is active and athletic, they are not immune to foot pain. Such children are susceptible to sprains, strains, and fractures just like an adult. Children also have unique athletic injuries. For instance, active children ages nine to fourteen often can have a severe pain behind the heel. This is due to an inflammation of the growth plate on the back of the heel bone. This syndrome is known as Sever's disease. Like other childhood injuries, this is due to inflammation caused by the Achilles tendon pulling too hard on the back of the heel.
So will these children grow out of their painful conditions? It certainly is possible. Some, like Sever's disease, are self-limiting, meaning the condition will go away on its own. Unfortunately this can take months or even years to occur. For other issues, they may seem to go away, but presents in adulthood as painful. The instability of abnormal pressures can also lead to bunions, hammertoes, and heel spurs.
All parents want to be proactive to allow their child to feel better quickly. Parents to want to helplessly wait. The solution is to provide stability to the lower extremity to allow to pain to resolve, keep it gone, and prevent future problems.
An orthotic is a custom insole that is made by a podiatrist to stabilize and balance the feet and legs. This will allow the child's limb to function more efficiently and eliminate the pain. By reducing the pressure, it will also prevent future problems. The orthotic will enable your child to maintain or increase their level of activity. This will enable him or her to run faster and feel better - all without pain!
Dr Andrew Schneider has sinced written about articles on various topics from Shoes, Fitness and Health. Dr. Andrew Schneider is a podiatrist in Houston, TX and is the medical director of Tanglewood Foot Specialists. He treats all injuries and conditions of the foot and ankle. For more information, to order his Free book on foot pain, and for many informat. Dr Andrew Schneider's top article generates over 2900 views. to your Favourites.