The use of high-heeled shoes by fashion-conscious ladies has caught on like a bug in many cultures. The heels are as varied and stylish as the users, who use them for important occasions and other events. The reasons for using the elevated platforms also vary from user to user: some like high heels because of their sex appeal, while others wear them to boost their confidence. But for whatever reasons ladies may be wearing high heels, they may need to know the inherent dangers in their indulgence. A recent study has revealed that wearing high heels may be responsible for having flat feet – a condition that leaves the inside of the feet? flattened, allowing? the entire foot to touch the floor when standing up. RALIAT AHMED writes on this condition.
High heeled shoes are one of the most popular type of shoes worn all over the world.
They have the ability of making one look taller, which can be advantageous for people that are not tall. But there are several problems with high heels such as flat feet according to study.
Scientists claim that high heels are the reason women are more likely to develop the agonising condition (flat feet) than men – and say their risk is increased further if they spend a lot of time standing up.
The scientists, who just concluded the study, believe that flat feet come about when tendons in the feet are weakened by proteins that occur naturally in the body which causes the arch of the foot to fall and in turn lead to excruciating pain and difficulties walking.
Being higher off the ground than usual can be useful for being on the same level as taller people, but falling from a height is much more painful. Because they are harder to balance in than flat shoes, high heels often cause a lot of accidental falls, particularly when walking on a slippery surface or under the influence of alcohol.
According to the study, the common and usually painless condition is more common in women over 40, but it may also run in families and many sufferers are born with it. In other cases, flatfeet may be caused by an injury or wearing of high heeled shoes because in some cases they usually do not properly support the feet properly, which causes the tendons to weaken. Women who wear heels are particularly at risk if they spent large chunks of the day standing up.?
High heels alter posture and increase pressure on the ball of the foot. Repeated wear is already known to strain the hips, knees and thighs, as well as increasing the risk of conditions such as osteoarthritis, hammer toe, back problems, bunions and corns.
Dr. Adesina Ajibade, an orthopaedic surgeon at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, Kano? explains: “When you examine the inner part of the foot, you see a space between the foot and the floor or the ground. The normal foot is therefore arched. In the condition called flat foot, the curvature of the foot is lost so that the foot becomes flat and makes full contact with the floor or the ground. Flat feet can be caused by problems that are present at birth (congenital) and problems that are acquired. They can also be physiological when they are part of normal development in toddlers.”
“I am not aware of any study that has established a cause –effect relationship between high heel shoes and development of flat foot. However, wearing high heel shoes may be a risk factor for some conditions that cause flat foot”, he adds.
He notes that one condition that is linked to the development of flat feet is tight Achilles tendon. This tendon is located behind the ankle and is attached to the bone of the heel.
When the foot is in a high heel shoe, the heel is raised higher than the toes with the result that the Achilles tendon becomes relatively shorter.
Ajibade points out that in a habitual high heel shoe wearer, the Achilles tendon may become tight in the long term, leading to flat foot. The only problem with this proposition is that heels are worn for a short period of time during the day.
“Degenerative conditions in the small joints of the foot may also cause flat foot. Because the position of the foot in a high heel shoe is unnatural, unusual stress may be applied on the small joints of the foot leading to degenerative arthritis that may encourage the development of flat foot”, he says.
Finally, the unnatural position of the foot in a high heel shoes may also cause laxity of the ligaments in the joints of the foot. Ligamentous laxity is a known cause of flat foot, the surgeon says.
He however says that flat feet are treatable and it is not in all cases that treatment is needed. According to him, toddlers may have flat feet as part of normal development (physiological flat feet). This is the flexible variety in which certain manoeuvres lead to reestablishment of the curvature of the foot. In this situation, no treatment is needed; the parents need only reassurance. Often, it corrects as they grow older. Some will, however persist into adulthood and this also requires no treatment if they do not cause symptoms. Those who have flat feet due to some underlying conditions (pathological flat feet) require treatment which is either operative or non-operative .
Mrs Oluwakemi Adeyemi, a beautician? who specialises in foot and body massage says: “These days, high heeled shoes have a special place in our society because almost every lady loves to have high heeled shoes. This type of shoes no doubt are a fashionable accessory that has become a significant part of today’s modern woman’s day to day lifestyle. However, wearing high heels has its disadvantages which are very clear.
According to Adeyemi, high heeled shoes might help the wearer look very fashionable and trendy but they may not be the best for the feet as it can cause serious damage to them.