High heels are a fashionable footwear choice, but they can also send you to a foot specialist with painful and swollen feet and a myriad of foot conditions. Learning about the various ways heels impact your feet will help you minimize these effects to keep your feet healthy when you do wear heels. Below are some of the most common ways heels could send you to the podiatry office.

How Wearing Heels Can Impact Your Foot & Ankle Health

1. Injuries & Stress Fractures

Heels put all the weight of your body on your ankles and the balls of your feet instead of evenly distributing the load. It makes you more liable to get stress fractures in your feet and ankles from repeated stress to the bones. You’re also prone to falls, accidents, and tripping, which can lead to muscle injuries, sprains, and broken bones. Limit how often you wear heels as much as possible, and only wear heels that you’re comfortable walking in and that provide adequate stability when you do.

2. Ingrown Toenails

Heels shift the weight of your body towards your toes and nails. The increased pressure on your nails can cause them to press into your toes and form ingrown toenails. The risk is heightened if you wear pointed-toe shoes or ones that are too tight. Keep your nails trimmed even with the end of your toe, and make sure your heels don’t compress your toes or feet.

3. Thinner Cushion on the Bottom of Your Feet

Wearing heels often throughout your life can lead to metatarsalgia, where the fatty layer that cushions the bottom of your foot becomes worn and thin. It leads to swollen feet, pain in your feet and ankles, and pain in your hip and leg due to limping. When you buy heels, make sure they have ample cushion and arch support to limit the risk of developing this condition.

4. Foot Deformities

High heels apply pressure to the joints in your toes, causing deformities that might require treatment from a foot specialist. Hammertoes are common, which is when your small toes curve downward because they’ve been pressed against the inside of your shoes. Bunions are also common, which is when the ball of your big toe develops a hard layer, and your toe starts to press inwards. To minimize these issues, make sure your shoes are the appropriate size, and avoid designs that press against the joints.

If heels have damaged your feet, you need an experienced foot specialist to care for them. Podiatry Associates of Rochester in Monroe County, NY, has a skilled team of podiatrists with years of experience. They boast three podiatry offices throughout Rochester that work with most major insurances, and they accept patients of all ages. Their offices are handicap accessible and will treat foot pain, sports injuries, foot and ankle conditions, and provide surgical care when needed. Learn more about their foot care online, and call (585) 342-8700 for an appointment.