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A new UK survey by shoe firm MBT says that British women are spending £29 million a year on surgery to correct damage to their feet caused by towering high heels.
Bent toes, trapped nerves and toe joint replacements are just some of the painful injuries that women are enduring, all in the name of fashion.
One in five foot complaints are caused by bunions, a painful bone and joint deformity which cause your big toe joint to turn inwards.
With NHS waiting lists lengthy, many are turning to private healthcare for treatment, but this is causing a pain in people’s pockets as well as their feet. The cost of straightening your toes is £1,200 and removing corns will set you back a whopping £4,000. Ouch.
'Plump' it up
Some refuse to be kept down at heel though. Cosmetic surgeons have seen a rise in the demand for ‘plumping’, a painful procedure where dermal filler is injected into the balls of the feet to make walking in heels more comfortable. However, the effects are only temporary, and won’t reduce your chances of getting your toes in a twist.
Pain-free feet
For those who don’t fancy having needles poked in their feet, there are a range of other pain-free alternatives. Scholl do a great range called ‘Party Feet’ which includes cushions and shields which make wearing heels a lot more bearable.
The gel cushions are particularly good for alleviating pain in the balls of the feet – simply place the cushioned pads in your shoes and off you go! You can pick these up for around £4 from Boots.
Built Insolia
If the idea of putting pads in your shoes sounds like too much fuss then you could always go for some heels with them built in already.
Insolia technology was invented by podiatrist Dr. Howard Dananberg and consists of padded implants in the structure of the shoe which helps ensure that the wearer doesn’t feel any discomfort.
It works by shifting your weight from the balls of your feet back onto your heels and improving your body alignment and balance.
Brands such as DKNY have used Insolia technology in its high heel designs and Marks and Spencer also carry a great range, too.
The highs and lows
Despite all the bad press about high heels, wearing modest ones can help tone calf and thigh muscles, improve circulation in the legs and ease lower back problems.
However, killer stilettos can be responsible for a variety of other injuries including knee strain, arthritis and spinal problems.
One expert even claims that wearing high heels can reduce your levels of mental alertness by limiting the blood supply to the muscles and brain. So when Posh claims that she can’t concentrate without her heels should we be wondering if wearing them has gone to her head?
Experts recommend that women wear a combination of flat and heeled shoes to give the body time to recover from the effects. Avoiding heels over 2 inches high can also help reduce injury.
Maybe it’s time to ditch those stilettos, ladies, and put your money to better use – pick up a pair of pumps.
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