The Hazards of High Heels

There are a few adjectives we associate with high-heeled shoes, whether they're pumps, wedges, platforms or sandals: sexy, confident, hot. But you may not think of these descriptions: painful, dangerous and health hazards. Heels have always been in style, but women who wear them a lot are prone to some problematic foot and leg issues. Foot pain ranks high on the list of reasons why those aged 65-74 visit their physicians, and researchers have found a link to high heels in those women who experience foot pain. Women who mostly wore athletic or casual shoes were 67 percent less likely to report foot pain, according to WebMD. Far fewer men reported foot pain than women, so there does seem to be a link. Other studies link heels to negative changes in gait, leading to back and leg pain. As heels make you unsteady on your feet, injuries such as sprained ankles are a risk, not to mention bunions, corns and hammertoes, which result when gravity pushes toes into the end of the shoe on a regular basis.