High-heeled shoes have become a staple in most women’s wardrobes because they are stylish, glamorous, and can add an extra few inches to your height if necessary. Although they have many benefits in the fashion and business worlds, they can cause headaches in the medical world. High heels can cause knee and back pain, toe deformities, shortened calf muscles, and imbalance that can lead to a sprained ankle. Combined with the fact that, according to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, 90% of women say that they wear shoes that are too small, these problems and discomforts can add up.

At Syracuse Podiatry, we know that women may not be willing or able to give up wearing high heels or pumps altogether. Fortunately, here are a few suggestions for minimizing the problems stemming from high heels:

• Keep the maximum heel height under two inches to relieve some of the stress on the lower legs and ankles
• Make sure the shoe fits properly in all of the areas of the feet, including the toes and heel
• Whenever possible, alternate the high heels with lower, flatter shoes
• Choose a high-heeled shoe that is made for walking
• Limit the amount of time you wear high heels to a 3 hour period

In order to avoid problems related to ill-fitting footwear, women should strive to choose footwear that provides the appropriate fit and support. The shoes should remain wide around the toes instead of becoming narrow and restrictive. Finally, the soles should be wide enough for some grip and stability.

Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico serves men, women, and children of all ages in Onondaga County and Central New York. He can treat a wide variety of foot and ankle conditions related to improperly fitting footwear, including bunions, hammertoes, ulcers, heel pain, and more. If you have any questions, or if you would like to make an appointment, please do not hesitate to contact us at our Fayetteville office at (315) 446-3668!