Eric Hubbard article #11 / 4-24-06

I am a fashion conscious woman that is being bombarded with not one,

but several shoe styles that can only be termed instruments of torture. What suggestions can you give that may help?

Through the ages there may have been some pretty silly fashions in general, but no article of clothing has actually been injurious to health except foot wear. High, high platform shoes, closed pumps with toes that narrow to a point and four to six inch spike heels may be “eloquent fashion statements,” as the ads say, but each of these current styles is cause for concern to foot and ankle specialists. These fashions that cram the toes into an inflexible V-shaped point, force the heel several inches off the ground or elevate the entire foot on a precarious platform, throw the whole body off balance. At best, these styles are bound to make your feet hurt, at worst they can cause permanent damage to feet, ankles, legs, back, or hips. Today, Podiatrists are seeing an enormous increase in foot and ankle fractures that are directly related to shoe gear.

With all this said, we are forced many times to wear shoes that hurt. The best thing you can do is wear good support shoes the majority of the time and only wear those painful fashion shoes when absolutely necessary. There are also many shoe stores that now specialize in good support shoes that are fashion conscious. The best thing to do is compromise and select spring shoes with comfort and safety in mind as well as style, and your whole body will thank you. Orthotics are functional devices made by your Podiatrist and can be a great help in augmenting foot and ankle support in fashion shoes.

Eric R. Hubbard, D.P.M.

Diplomate, American Board of Podiatric Surgery
Diplomate, American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics

Member, South Bay Independent Physicians Medical Group, Inc.