High Heels Impact on Health

For less leg pain and heel pain, avoid high-heeled mayhem.How far would you go to fit into a pair of 7-inch heels? There is an alarming new trend hitting the streets—somewhat literally. Women are injecting dermal fillers into their toes, heels, and the balls of their feet in order to manage their errands around town in a pair of absolutely unorthodox heels. The goal of course is to eliminate foot and leg pain, but Boca Raton beware: this trend is not worth it. High heel shoes could have an unintended impact on your health if worn too often.

Wearing a high-heeled shoe changes the natural anatomy of the foot. When you take a step naturally, the pressure of your body weight is dissipated across the entire foot, but in a high-heel, the pressure is localized, often causing pain.

Even if you have never worn a pair of high-heels (which for a large part of the female population is unlikely), it is not too hard to picture the way the foot is contorted to fit into the shoe. While there are smaller heels that don’t change the pressure on the foot as drastically, tall stiletto heels leave women literally walking around on their tippy-toes all night.

High-heels are a societal problem, and a lot of women cannot escape them. At this point, they are much more than a fashion trend. Many business women are looked down upon for not dressing appropriately if they aren’t donning a pair of pumps with their skirt suits. But what lengths are you willing to go through to manage a pair of seven-inch heels for an evening out?

The dermal fillers are designed to augment the footpad, providing more cushioning to the areas of the foot that are impacted by the heels. Fat pad restoration is actually a very helpful medical procedure for people who have lost their natural fat on the bottom of their feet, but this new trend is taking something positive to an extreme. The dermal fillers are not designed to provide extra cushioning for otherwise healthy feet.

When it comes to wearing high-heels, moderation is key. You may not be willing to give up your favorite shoes for good, but do you need to wear them all night?  To minimize the impact of a high heel on your foot health, carry a spare pair of flats with you in your purse and lose the heels before your feet start to scream. In situations like this it is always a good idea to use a little bit of common sense: if your feet hurt in a pair of shoes, then don’t wear them!

Dr. Jason Gold, DPM, FACFAS

Known for his expertise in thorough diagnostic testing and a steady surgical hand, Jason M. Gold, DPM, is a leader in modern foot and ankle care and sports medicine. He’s one of a handful of doctors who’s board certified in foot and ankle surgery in Palm Beach County. Dr. Jason Gold cares for patients at Foot, Ankle & Leg Vein Center, a state-of-the-art practice with locations in Boca Raton and Boynton, Florida.

Dr. Jodi Schoenhaus , DPM - Podiatrist in Boca Raton, FL

Dr. Jodi Schoenhaus DPM, RPhs, FACFAS

Dr. Jodi Schoenhaus is a foot, ankle, and leg vein specialist practicing in South Florida. She is considered a leader and innovator for various procedures in her field, including fat pad and vein care. Dr. Schoenhaus grew up in southern New Jersey and she considers herself a true Philly girl. After graduating from the University of Michigan, having studied kinesiology and human movement, she went to Temple University in Philadelphia where she got her doctorate.

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