Osteoarthritis (OA) is an inflammatory chronic condition that leads to the breakdown and eventual loss of cartilage in the joints. This reduces the cushioning effect between the bones, making them rub against each other, causing pain and a loss of mobility.
Excessive use of high heels in both women and men is fast becoming the cause of osteoarthritis. According to health experts, high heels cause unequal weight distribution on the metatarsals (foot bones) exposing areas of foot joints that aren’t designed to bear weight, resulting in painful conditions such as bunions and metatarsalgias (fore-foot pain).
The American Osteopathy Association reports that one in 10 women wear heels, and most of them develop severe pain and swelling in the fore foot, hind foot, ankle, knees, hips and spine.
Abhay Nene, a consultant spine surgeon at Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai said that high heels are the growing cause of premature osteoarthritis. Wearing high heels has also been associated with plantar fasciitis—one of the most common causes of heel pain.
A study from Stanford University said that every time a woman puts on a pair of high heels she is putting dangerous levels of strain on her joints.
A rigid platform may not be bio-mechanically suitable for foot because its too hard. Experts recommended that high heels should be worn when one is planning to walk less like getting out of car for a party venue and then walking back to car for home. The longer one wears high heels, the more are the chances of foot injury.
Source: IANS
Image Source: Shutterstock
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