Heels, flats, flip-flops — some of the trendiest shoes can be the riskiest. According to podiatrist Andrew Shapiro, DPM, a spokesman for the American Podiatric Medical Association, it’s not spike heels or pointy boots. Instead, the worst offender is…
Flip-Flops
“They’re meant for the beach and the pool, not for everyday walking, ” says Shapiro.
Spike Heels
“Anything higher than about two inches causes a problem,” Shapiro says. “The Achilles tendon shortens when the foot is in a high heel, so if you wear them too much, that tendon can become chronically shortened and you have Achilles tendonitis.”
Pointy-Toed Pumps
If you must wear them, as with sky-high heels, make it only on occasion and not every day to the office.
Ballet Flats
“Ballet flats generally lack support, lack cushioning, and don’t allow the foot to function the way it should,” Shapiro says. You can choose a flat that resembles a ballet flat, but has a real sole and support around the heel counter (the part of the shoe that wraps the heel).
Backless Mules
“I see a lot of problems with backless shoes,” Shapiro says. “The toes start to grab the shoe to get support, and a lot of women wind up with hammertoes because of that. You can also develop calluses or breaks in the skin because the shoe is constantly tapping the heel.
“Hundreds of millions of dollars of research come down to the fact that if shoes feel comfortable when you put them on, they’re probably OK, but if they hurt, you shouldn’t wear them,” Anderson says. “It’s really that simple.”
Source: Web MD
Image: Power Princess
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