The New York Times recently ran a story on the scientific look at the dangers of high heels. (http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/25/scientists-look-at-the-dangers-of-high-heels/)
As podiatrist we see the changes that happen to women’s feet from long term wearing of high heel including worsening bunion, hammertoes, metatarsalgia, ankle equinus, and Achilles tendinitis pathology. In this research it was demonstrated that when women that rarely wore heels walked, their tendons (for example the Achilles tendon) elongated and stretched as expected, whereas in the group of women that regularly wore heels, their tendons were not as engaged but rather the muscle belly attached to the same tendon. This leads to more rigid function which can progress to tendinitis and potential abnormal pull. Previous research has shown the greatest strength and efficiency of the muscle/tendon unit occurs when the muscle stays relatively the same length and the tendon lengthens. This also happened when the heel wearing women walked barefoot. The alteration of the muscle function puts these women at higher risk for tendinitis, especially when wearing tennis shoes and flats when more stretch is required by the tendon to place the heel on the ground.
The recommendation was not to stop wearing heels, but rather to slowly lower the heel height worn and to reserve the extra high heels for 1-2 times a week.
We can show you a dynamic ultrasound which can demonstrate this in the ACHILLES tendon right in the office.
- Dr TIMM
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