High heels are painful to wear but specific foot problems can make wearing heels that much worse. Some women may blame the stiletto for causing their Heel Pain rather than a structural foot problem that they may have. Getting a handle on the foot problems that don't mix well with heels may help you wear heels more comfortably and avoid that altogether. The following conditions keep you from wearing heel. Read through.
1. Bunions
These are the most common foot problem associated with high heels. They appear as lumps on the side of your feet or at the base of the big toe. When you wear shoes with narrow fronts, the bone at the base of the toe is pushed outwards resulting in a bunion. The big toe in this condition, is slanted and pressed against other toes, rather than pointing straight. This mechanism works by keeping the foot muscles and bones constantly pressed. The downside of this is that bones, especially the big and small toe, get pressed together with others, and this may cause their permanent, yet painful, diversion. The areas of the bends may become inflamed, due to strained nerves and ligaments, while the skin in contact with the shoes experiences excruciating pain. Bunions are painful in heels because the shape and position of the shoe press up against the prominent bunion bone -- resulting in direct irritation.
These are the most common foot problem associated with high heels. They appear as lumps on the side of your feet or at the base of the big toe. When you wear shoes with narrow fronts, the bone at the base of the toe is pushed outwards resulting in a bunion. The big toe in this condition, is slanted and pressed against other toes, rather than pointing straight. This mechanism works by keeping the foot muscles and bones constantly pressed. The downside of this is that bones, especially the big and small toe, get pressed together with others, and this may cause their permanent, yet painful, diversion. The areas of the bends may become inflamed, due to strained nerves and ligaments, while the skin in contact with the shoes experiences excruciating pain. Bunions are painful in heels because the shape and position of the shoe press up against the prominent bunion bone -- resulting in direct irritation.
2. Hammertoes
Crooked and bent toes cause varying friction points within a high heeled shoe resulting in pain, swelling, redness, corns and/or skin sores. It forms when the small joints of the toes pop out of alignment and become prominent. Many women mistakenly blame the heel for causing the thickened skin (corns) on their toes, but rather the corn is byproduct of the underlying hammer toe. As a result of wearing tight and narrow shoes, the toes start to curl up and don’t lie flat, making them appear like a claw. Usually the second toe is the most affected. The middle toe joint bends and starts rubbing up on the shoe causing pain. The toes become rigid and joints may be permanently dislocated. In this condition the toes’ muscles become shorter, causing the first joint of the toe to sink and the toe bone to get raised. The raised toe joint, initially becomes painful, but after some time of getting pressed by the shoes, hardens.
Crooked and bent toes cause varying friction points within a high heeled shoe resulting in pain, swelling, redness, corns and/or skin sores. It forms when the small joints of the toes pop out of alignment and become prominent. Many women mistakenly blame the heel for causing the thickened skin (corns) on their toes, but rather the corn is byproduct of the underlying hammer toe. As a result of wearing tight and narrow shoes, the toes start to curl up and don’t lie flat, making them appear like a claw. Usually the second toe is the most affected. The middle toe joint bends and starts rubbing up on the shoe causing pain. The toes become rigid and joints may be permanently dislocated. In this condition the toes’ muscles become shorter, causing the first joint of the toe to sink and the toe bone to get raised. The raised toe joint, initially becomes painful, but after some time of getting pressed by the shoes, hardens.
3. Bunionettes
Also known as Tailor's bunions, these are the smaller bunions on the outside of the foot located by the 5th toe. Tailor's bunions are caused by an abnormally shaped bone. Pressure and friction from high heels and more so a pointy toe shoe will cause the area to become problematic.
Also known as Tailor's bunions, these are the smaller bunions on the outside of the foot located by the 5th toe. Tailor's bunions are caused by an abnormally shaped bone. Pressure and friction from high heels and more so a pointy toe shoe will cause the area to become problematic.
4. Pump Bump
This abnormal foot position comes from heel wearing makes the back of the heel bone prominent, and become a source of irritation against the counter of the shoe. It is very common. Some people genetically have an enlarged heel bone, making the problem that much worse.
This abnormal foot position comes from heel wearing makes the back of the heel bone prominent, and become a source of irritation against the counter of the shoe. It is very common. Some people genetically have an enlarged heel bone, making the problem that much worse.
5. Metatarsalgia
Also called stone bruise, metatarsalgia is any painful condition which affects the front (metatarsal) region of the foot. Usually the ball of the foot is most affected wherein it becomes inflamed and painful. This foot condition exhibits in the form of pain at the ball of the foot. Wearing heels means walking mostly on the ball of the foot which can result in this condition. It is an inflammation of the foot bones. As heel height increases so does pressure on the ball of the boot. Many people with bunions and hammertoes can develop metatarsalgia as well from abnormal foot biomechanics.The condition, mostly, occurs after long periods of standing, overusing that foot part and or wearing shoes that do not protect the foot from hard surfaces contacts. While this condition poses no major threat, the pain can be demobilizing.
Also called stone bruise, metatarsalgia is any painful condition which affects the front (metatarsal) region of the foot. Usually the ball of the foot is most affected wherein it becomes inflamed and painful. This foot condition exhibits in the form of pain at the ball of the foot. Wearing heels means walking mostly on the ball of the foot which can result in this condition. It is an inflammation of the foot bones. As heel height increases so does pressure on the ball of the boot. Many people with bunions and hammertoes can develop metatarsalgia as well from abnormal foot biomechanics.The condition, mostly, occurs after long periods of standing, overusing that foot part and or wearing shoes that do not protect the foot from hard surfaces contacts. While this condition poses no major threat, the pain can be demobilizing.
Article is posted by MBT Health Footwear. To know more about MBT physiological footwear subscribe our official YouTube Channel or can also follow us on Facebook.