High heels are common articles of footwear used by women. Some might be required to don these type of shoes for professional purposes. Others may enjoy wearing them because they look good and enhance their sense of fashion. Regardless, high heeled shoes could potentially precipitate various foot problems.
One relatively common foot malady is fallen arches. Advanced Foot Care and Ankle Center, a leading provider of foot care, invites readers to learn about this condition, answer the question of whether there is any negative correlation between high heels and fallen arches and offer suggestions as to how impacted individuals can find fallen arch relief.
What Are Fallen Arches?
Most healthy feet contain an upward curve situated towards their middle known as an arch. A normal arch is supported by properly functioning tendons, which are structures of stretchable tissue that keep the foot attached to the heel and various bones located inside it. Fallen arches, also medically categorized as flat feet, occur when these tendons fail to correctly stretch or do not stretch at all.
The Symptoms Of Fallen Arches
In certain instances, flat feet might not precipitate any physical manifestations. However, when symptoms do occur, impacted individuals typically have flat looking feet and may experience pain while walking or executing any other type of physical activity that requires weight to be placed on their feet. More serious manifestations could include swollen feet, feet that tire without much exertion, mobility challenges, stiffness or discomfort that could spread to an afflicted person’s back or legs.
What Causes Fallen Arches?
Flat feet could be brought about by a variety of factors. Common causes include inflamed or damaged foot tendons, dislocated or broken bones within an impacted foot, foot malformations present from birth, damaged nerves, obesity, the aging process and illnesses such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, the type of footwear one wears may also contribute to the development of fallen arches.
High Heels And Fallen Arches
As the name implies, high heeled shoes have high bases located at their heels. Women who frequently stand in and wear this kind of footwear force their foot tendons to stretch abnormally, which might eventually precipitate the onset of flat feet. Scientists who have conducted research on this subject opine that high heeled shoes are often a significant cause of flat feet in women and the reason women seem to develop the condition with greater regularity than men.
Finding Fallen Arch Relief
Those impacted by flat feet might employ different methods of relief. The specific method chosen will often depend on the underlying condition precipitating the malady, as well as the ailment’s severity. Some common treatment protocols include:
Exercises
Simple maneuvers that stretch and stimulate foot and ankle tendons may alleviate the condition.
Padding Shoes With Added Protection
For some people, fitting their shoes with padded soles or orthotic products may provide the additional protection and comfort necessary to ensure their foot tendons properly stretch.
Using Medications
When flat feet elicit pain or swelling, impacted persons might take over-the-counter pain killers or drugs that curtail swelling and inflammation.
Surgery
Should fallen arches be the result of more serious manifestations such as bone abnormalities or torn tendons, surgical intervention might be indicated to provide relief.
Wear Appropriate Footwear
People suffering pain from flat feet might find improvement by changing the type of shoes they regularly wear. Such shoes should fit comfortably and not place any undue pressure on foot tendons like high heels do.
Those afflicted with fallen arches and any other type of foot discomfort are encouraged to contact Advanced Foot and Ankle Center. The primary physician Dr. Pedram Aslmand has extensive experience treating this condition and many other foot maladies.
