High heels not only look great, they can also impart confidence to the wearer. That’s not all, they can also help to shape the legs and buttocks by making them more attractive in general. That’s just some of the positives gained from these stunning shoes, now examine some of the negative aspects, of which there are many.

Common Ankle Pain Problems Associated with High Heels

It’s no real secret that wearing this particular kind of footwear greatly increases the risk for injuries on the legs and especially the ankles, as well as even contributing towards excessive ageing of the joints. Accidents are also another factor to take into consideration when wearing heels.

So, what are some of the common injuries wearing high heels can cause? The most common ankle pain causes are general strains and sprains, but it’s not limited to just that, as there have been many reports of head, neck, shoulder, trunk and knee injuries also. Let’s take a look about how high heels can affect different parts of the body.

Affecting the Body

Wearing heels alters the position of joints of the trunk, hip, knee and ankle. These alterations can then cause a series of problems ranging from fatigue to muscle cramps. Degeneration of joints are also another major concern through excessive use of heels. Obviously, the higher the heels that are worn, increases the stress on the inner portion of the legs. This can place up to 76% more pressure on the feet than wearing sensible or no shoes. Over time, this can become a major contributing factor towards knee osteoarthritis and even chronic joint pain.

Joints aren’t the only part affected by high heel use. During use, the body has to redistribute and balance body weight to accommodate for the change in posture. While over many years it can even cause the calf muscles to become shorter, and in excessive use it can cause a permanent change to the muscles of that region.

Ankle Pain Causes

There have been various studies indicating that as much as 60% of women suffering from some form of ankle problems are caused from wearing high heeled shoes. It’s not just that, every single time a pair of high heels are worn, there is possibility of spraining an ankle and an increased risk of other ailments such as pinched nerves, stress fractures and even shortening the Achilles tendon. There’s even data that indicates wearing high heels cause the painful condition known as ingrown toenails, which occurs due to excessive and concentrated pressure on the localised area.

Essentially the higher the heel that is worn, the increased potential for health problems to occur. With the most common heel height being around three and a quarter inches, most women choose to look smart and beautiful rather than consider the health implications.

If you are suffering from ankle pain get in touch with the Foot and Leg Clinic Today and book an assessment.