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Most women do not feel properly dressed unless they are wearing high heel shoes. There is no doubt that the elevation of the heel enhances the shape of the calf muscle, which causes the skinny leg to appear more voluptuous. It is a blessing for short women who want to appear taller. Some people believe that high heel shoes make them look sexy. These are some of the attributes ascribed to high heel shoes, but at what price?

Podiatrists love high heel shoes because it guarantees a constant flow of patients to our offices. The pressure that gets displaced to the ball of the foot that is normally shared with the heel is more than the forefoot is anatomically designed to handle. The foot struggles to stabilize the foot function altered by the high heel shoe. Bunions, hammertoe deformities and other painful disorders develop with this struggle.

The elevation of the heel allows the Achilles tendon to shorten. No one stretches their calf muscle after wearing high heel shoes to compensate for this phenomenon. An equinus deformity, a calf muscle that is too tight, develops over time. This causes the high heel shoe lover to proclaim that they feel more comfortable in their beloved high heels. A tight heel cord is the most deforming force in the
foot and further contributes to the development of those painful foot deformities.

Put a limit on how much pain you are willing to endure before you take off those high heel shoes.
Better yet, limit wearing high heel shoes to the couple of hours that you dress up for
special occasions only.

Carry your sensible shoes with you in the car, apologize to your feet when you leave, giving that fake smile like your feet aren’t killing you, and get out of the high heel shoes as soon as possible.

Stretch out your calf muscles when you take your shoes off. Use cushions or pads in your shoes to
minimize pressure and absorb shock wherever you feel the pressure is too much to bear. Consider
adding a layer of Spenco to the insole, a medical grade shock absorber superior to the Dr. Scholl
insole of the past.

Soak and massage your feet to reverse any damage to the skin that may occur. If the pain gets unbearable, go see your Podiatrist and get some help. You may be able to get a prescriptive orthotic to optimize your romance with high heel shoes and avoid “High Heel Blues!”