Wearing heels now linked to arthritis
High heels may make your legs look longer and your outfit look hotter, but they're also to blame for painfully sore feet, corns, bunions, hammertoes, sprained ankles, broken toes, shortened calf muscles, bad backs, and countless other things you don't want. Vanity often wins out, especially after shelling out big bucks for fancy stilettos. But new research by the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists found that 25% of women who wear high heels are more likely to get arthritis. Marie Claire UK reports that restrictive and uncomfortable footwear combined with people living longer and being more overweight could lead to a real "arthritis crisis."
"Although you are more likely to develop arthritis as you get older, it can occur at any time,' Professor Anthony Redmond the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists told Marie Claire UK. Heels put additional pressure on your feet, ankles, and knees, thus damaging the cartilage. "Choosing the right footwear will help minimize the stress placed on the feet and joints during everyday activity and reduce the risk of injury and joint damage."
So maybe you can't wear sneakers to the office, but you can definitely switch out pointy heels for more comfortable, cushioned platforms or round-toed ballet flats. The key is to keep stiletto wearing to a minimum, or wear them when you're less active. If arthritis runs in your family or if you are on your feet all day, you may be at a greater risk.
Here are a few stats on arthritis from the CDC:
50 million adults in the United States have arthritis
7.6 % of people aged 18-44 have it
30% of people age 45-64 have it
50% of people over 65 have it
Are you willing to sacrifice your high heels for your health, or will you continue wearing high heels without thinking about the consequences?
Related links:
Researchers Say Heels Are Evil and Addictive
Should pregnant women wear high heels?
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