Footwear is essential for daily activities, making comfort paramount. Quality shoes should not only be aesthetically pleasing but also provide substantial protection for the feet. However, many contemporary shoe designs—particularly high heels—can be detrimental to foot health. While many women enjoy wearing high heels, they may be unaware that this habit can increase the risk of developing arthritis later in life...
Beauty-conscious women should take note—
>Wearing High Heels in Youth May Lead to Arthritis in Later Years
October 12th marks World Arthritis Day. Yesterday, the orthopedic medical team from Jiangbei District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital visited Pengrun Community in Jiangbei District to conduct a lecture on arthritis prevention and treatment. Chongqing Evening News reporters learned on-site that many middle-aged women reported issues with bunions on their toes, which not only affect appearance but also cause pain and discomfort.
Lan Xiufu, Director of Orthopedics at Jiangbei District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, noted this is a daily occurrence in clinical practice. "Beyond genetics and trauma, 30% of bunions result from prolonged high-heel wear." Women who consistently wear high heels first experience big toe deformation and inward tilting, followed by the big toe pressing against the second toe.Compression and friction within the shoe can further cause pain, redness, inflammation, and even issues like collapsed transverse arches, flat feet, or bunions.
Lan advises women: "Avoid prolonged walking in pointed, high-heeled shoes. If high heels are unavoidable, regularly soak your feet in warm water.Regularly perform foot exercises, such as curling your toes while standing or walking, or standing upright and rising onto your toes. Repeat these movements dozens of times daily."
Additionally, Lan Xiufu noted that Chongqing's mountainous terrain and steep slopes make residents prone to joint injuries from prolonged climbing. Combined with the region's high humidity, the city has the highest number of arthritis patients nationwide.Rheumatoid arthritis and severe osteoarthritis have become the leading causes of joint disability among middle-aged and elderly residents in our city. "Many mistakenly believe that joint discomfort can be alleviated through increased activity. The correct approach is consistent daily heat therapy, ensuring joint rest, and avoiding weight-bearing activities."
Further Reading: How to Choose Healthy Footwear?
A good pair of shoes should not only be aesthetically pleasing but also provide substantial protection for the feet.However, the increasingly diverse and flashy shoe designs available today pose significant challenges to our feet. In response, the U.S. website "WebMD" invited Dr. Hillary Brenner, an expert from the American Podiatric Medical Association, to summarize six types of foot-damaging shoes and their hazards, teaching us how to choose shoes wisely.
Ultra-high heels (heels over 5 cm). Increasingly tall heels can cause numerous problems, such as ankle sprains, chronic pain, painful hardened areas forming on the back of the heel (as shown in Figure 1), as well as blisters, swelling, bursitis, and Achilles tendon pain.While ice packs, orthotics, and heel pads may temporarily relieve pain, the resulting bone deformities are permanent. Additionally, wearing ultra-high heels places excessive pressure on the metatarsal bones in the forefoot, leading to joint deformities, inflammation of surrounding tissues (as shown in Figure 1), nerve damage, and potentially fractures if left untreated for extended periods.
Therefore, Brenner recommends that women's heels should ideally be 2–3 centimeters high (as shown in Figure 2). Avoid thin heels; instead, choose thicker, shorter ones for greater safety, allowing the feet to remain more natural and comfortable.
Flat shoes. While seemingly comfortable, flat shoes also fail to guarantee foot health.Wearing them fails to provide adequate arch support, potentially causing adverse effects on knees, hips, and lower back. Furthermore, lack of arch support may contribute to plantar fasciitis. To compensate for flat shoes' shortcomings, insert orthotics or heel pads into the shoes to provide strong arch support and reduce pressure on sensitive areas.Flip-flops' minimal design offers insufficient foot protection, increasing the risk of cuts and abrasions. Diabetics should especially avoid them, as minor injuries can lead to serious complications. Like flats, flip-flops typically have flat soles that fail to support the arch, causing excessive strain, tearing, or inflammation of the plantar fascia—resulting in heel pain (as shown in Figure 3). Limit their use during summer.
Platform shoes. Platform shoes feature thick, rigid soles that disrupt natural foot movement during walking. When the foot attempts to flex, the thick, hard sole can impede this motion. If the heel is significantly higher than the toe area, it also places extra pressure on the metatarsal bones. Therefore, opt for shoes with moderate thickness and a heel that isn't excessively high.
Pointed-toe shoes. While pointed-toe shoes may make you a fashion icon, they confine toes into cramped, narrow spaces. Over time, this can lead to nerve pain, bunions, blisters, hammertoes, and even bruising around the nails. For foot health, prioritize shoes with a roomier toe box.
Ill-fitting shoes. Most women wear shoes that are too small, resulting in painful injuries like calluses, blisters, bunions, and corns. Prolonged friction between feet and shoes can also irritate joints, contributing to arthritis.Additionally, studies indicate that ill-fitting shoes in children can impair foot development, affecting foot health in adulthood. When shopping for shoes, try them in the afternoon or evening when feet are at their largest. Always test both shoes simultaneously to ensure proper fit. No matter how attractive a pair may be, never compromise health for style—if they don’t fit well, be willing to let them go.