The ill effects of wearing high heels range from the effects on toes to all the way up to the back. There might be bunions in the toes and it can also result into a hammer toe where the toes are pointed downwards as they are squeezed in the small footwear. As the ball of the feet take all the weight there would be arthritis that is inflammation of joints of the toes with foot. The soles would be sore as they are stretched. There can be associated sprains and fractures of the ankle. There can be Plantar Fasciitis which is a condition where there is severe pain in the heel. As the Achilles tendon is shortened there can long term contractures of the tendon and long term pain in the calf muscles. It can lead to knee pain and long term strain on the knee joint cartilage. As the posture is changed while walking with heels there would be long term effects on the back and spine and give rise to chronic pain.
Risks of Wearing High Heels at Work
FAQ's
Risks of Wearing High Heels at Work
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What are the repercussions of wearing heels on a daily basis ?
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Aside from the damage to the feet them self, does it affect posture ?The posture is affected when walking with high heels, there would be chronic back pain. The muscles of the back would become stiff and there might long term effects to the vertebral column like slipped disc and other conditions.
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Also, does it impact one's ability to walk ?It leads to taking small strides and even after one stops wearing high heels it can cause small steps and strain on foot while walking. It also affects running and jogging which can be slower in pace with smaller strides.
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From a medical stand point what kind of shoes should one wear and how often ?One should wear comfortable soft shoes with soft insoles preferably sportswear. If there is a dress code than comfortable footwear with soft insoles. Avoid tight footwear.
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Any tips for those forced to wear heelsWear it for days when there is less walking intended. Remove them often every 30 minutes and stretch the calf muscles and the foot muscles. Walk bare feet for a few minutes when you removed them in the breaks. Wear straps or pads over the Achilles tendon or over toes where the shoes hurt so as to protect them.