Studies have shown that high-heeled shoes create excess pressure on the plantar surface, or sole of the foot, which can lead to metatarsalgia (ball of the foot pain), excess stress on foot joints, and painful calluses. The higher the heel is, the more probability that muscular imbalances are occurring while walking in the shoes—causing certain leg and foot muscles to work too hard. These imbalances, as well as squeezing of the foot, can lead to problems such as knee pain, heel pain (plantar fasciitis), and hammer toes.
Sometimes an occasion calls for a great-looking pair of heels, and there are some strategies you can use to choose better shoes for your comfort and health. The following celebrity photos identify common mistakes people make in choosing heels, and the tips can help you avoid these mistakes.
You may be surprised to learn that your shoe size can change over the years. A change in foot size can often be attributed to hormonal changes and natural changes in soft tissue that occur with aging.
Better Choice: The next time you shop for shoes, be sure to measure your feet for both length and width. Be aware that the right size shoe may not always be a good fit, so it helps to try on a few different styles until you find the most comfortable fit. It can also be helpful to shop at the end of the day when your foot is more swollen so you won’t be tempted to overcompensate by sizing up excessively.
Better Choice: Even though these heels have an extreme heel height and appear to be too small in size (notice the dangling toes), they do have three preferable features:
The thickness underneath the ball of the foot offsets some of the heel height, and depending on the shoe’s material, may offer better cushioning than a thinner-soled shoe. The chunkiness of the shoe’s heel is preferable to a stiletto heel because it is more stable. The heel is positioned more toward the back of the shoe, which is more stable than a heel positioned more toward the center of the shoe.
You can bet that long periods of walking in these shoes will leave you with tired, sore feet and put you at risk for an ankle sprain.
Better Choice: Your best bet is to choose styles that fit the shape of your foot well, offering adequate material to hold your foot in the shoe—a good example is a high-heeled boot or a shoe with straps across the toe area, arch, and ankle.
Another toe problem that can be aggravated by high-heeled shoes is a bunion deformity.
Better Choice: A better choice is a shoe that has more material across the toes and more of a rounded toe box.
