A new study reveals that wearing high heels to catch a bus may cause lifelong damage to women's knees. Even running short distances in them can lead to osteoarthritis, and the higher the heel, the greater the risk of ankle sprains.
The study indicates that high heels have long been a fashion statement, but experts warn that wearing them—even during relatively light activity—can contribute to long-term issues like knee arthritis. According to related survey reports, 90% of women who frequently wear high heels report experiencing physical discomfort such as soreness, fatigue, numbness, and bunions.
The research team measured hip and ankle movement in three groups of young women wearing flat shoes (heels under 1.5 cm),low heels (under 4.5 cm), and high heels (7 cm) while running. Results revealed that high heels impose a series of stresses on the knees and hips during running, potentially causing long-term damage. Women who frequently wear high heels are more susceptible to knee osteoarthritis.Running in high heels causes excessive movement and concentrates stress on the knees, which has been identified as a significant risk. Although the research team analyzed only a small group of women aged 21 to 25 under experimental conditions, they believe individuals of other ages face similar risks of injury and joint wear when wearing high heels.Additionally, they discovered that running in high heels reduces ankle mobility, creating a potential risk for sprains. Researchers emphasized that the higher the heel, the greater the likelihood of ankle sprains during running.
Specifically, the hazards of wearing high heels include:
1. Urinary Incontinence
> Harvard Medical School published a medical report indicating that women who frequently wear high heels are prone to urinary incontinence. Experts involved in the study pointed out that when women wear high heels, their forefeet make contact with the ground first, placing greater pressure on the pelvis. Increased pelvic pressure accelerates the degeneration of nearby muscles, such as the external urethral sphincter, weakening urinary control and leading to incontinence.
2. Schizophrenia
3.Flat Feet
The foot supports the body through three pressure points: the first metatarsal, fifth metatarsal, and heel. The hollow space between them is called the arch. Excessively high heels cause calf muscles to tense, pulling on the arch's tendons. Over time, these tendons become lax, causing the arch to lose support and collapse, resulting in flat feet.
Of course, high heels aren't forbidden—it's about wearing them wisely and sparingly. A pair of appropriate high heels is essential for formal occasions, but generally, heel height is directly proportional to its potential harm to the body.Heels should not exceed 5 centimeters to prevent uneven pressure distribution on the feet. When wearing high heels, consciously shift your body weight slightly forward to avoid placing all pressure on the heels, which can cause fatigue. Additionally, limit wearing high heels to 4-5 hours daily.For office workers, keep a pair of sneakers at work. Wear heels during the day and switch to sneakers after work to allow your feet to relax and recover. It's particularly important to note that stiletto heels significantly increase the risk of ankle sprains, so women are advised to avoid them.
4. Foot Pain
High heels inflict the most direct damage to the feet. Experts explain that when walking, each foot has three pressure points supporting body weight: two on the forefoot and one on the heel. As heel height increases, the pressure point shifts forward, concentrating most of the body's weight on the forefoot, which naturally becomes overburdened. Prolonged wear of high heels, whether walking or standing, often causes a dull ache in the forefoot.This pain should not be ignored. It stems from excessive pressure on the forefoot, leading to fatigue and potentially causing metatarsophalangeal arthritis or joint capsule thickening. Additionally, some individuals may develop thickened skin on the forefoot or even corns, largely due to excessively high heels. Pointed-toe high heels can also cause bunions and hallux valgus, with many patients seeking treatment for these conditions in recent years.
5. Knee Pain
Women who frequently wear high heels may face the future burden of degenerative knee arthritis. Recent research from Harvard Medical School indicates that prolonged high-heel use increases pressure on the kneecap and femur, accelerating joint surface wear and hastening the onset of degenerative knee arthritis.Clinically, many women develop degenerative arthritis as early as age forty, often linked to prolonged high-heel use. Statistics show that women wearing high heels while climbing stairs bear knee loads three times their body weight; descending stairs in heels increases this load seven to ninefold—a common cause of leg pain.
6. Lower Back Pain
Wearing high heels causes the body to lean slightly forward. To maintain balance, the lower back naturally arches backward, placing pressure on the muscles, joints, and bones in the lumbar region. Over time, this can lead to lower back pain and muscle strain. In severe cases, it may result in spinal misalignment or even sciatica.
7. Headaches
When walking, the ground exerts a reaction force on the body.With flat shoes, this force is distributed across three points of contact on the sole. However, high heels reduce this to two points, and heels reaching seven or eight centimeters leave only one point of contact. The ground's reaction force is then directed straight upward toward the head, potentially damaging the brain. This explains why prolonged high-heel wear often causes headaches. Pointed-toe high heels further reduce the contact area, intensifying the pressure.