Susan Says: Killer Heels and Foot Fiends

Dr. Stuart J. Mogul, a renowned New York City podiatrist, appeared on a recent segment of ABC's The View.  With my experience in selling designer shoes, I have seen first-hand the damage that the wrong footwear can do, so I am happy that Dr. Mogul exposed not only the dangers of wearing high heels (especially for protracted periods of time), but also the hidden risks to seemingly benign footwear such as ballet flats, flip flops, and, oddly enough, athletic wear. Here is a run-down of the potential pitfalls of perilous footwear:

• High Heels: One can develop a "pump bump" on the back of the heel which, besides being extremely unsightly,  can lead to bursitis.  Another problem for high heel addicts are bunions and hammertoes which develop from squeezing the foot into high heels and can compressing the toes, which can lead to Morton's Neuroma, a numbness and tingling in the third and fourth toes.  Dr. Mogul stated that the more you wear high heels, the more you will need to wear high heels, because the shoes actually change your feet.  Over a protracted period, high heels elevate the rear of the foot and cause the Achilles tendon to contract and get shorter so that it becomes difficult to wear a flat or go barefoot because the foot becomes fixed and rigid.  Two to three inch heels are a safe way to go, according to Dr. Mogul.  If you are going to wear a heel, when standing on tip toes, your feet should be 1-2 inches from the floor.   

• Ballet flats: These seemingly harmless flats actually present another set of problems. Although they may be flexible, they often offer little or no support and can lead to arch problems and leg pain and can progress to Posterior Tibial Tendon dysfunction which can require surgery. Yikes! Best bet? If you are sporting a ballet flat, put an orthotic insert into the shoe.

• Athletic shoes:  One would imagine that the more padded and cushioned the sneaker, the better. However, Dr. Mogul advises that what appears to be a benefit can actually be a problem in that the more constructed the sneaker, the more chance there is of causing stress on your heels.   Surprisingly, less constructed sneakers may result in less stress on the heels and may be more attuned to the natural foot.

• Flip flops:  Flip flops are easy to wear and seem like the epitome of comfort, but the negative effects of flops on your feet can be anything but cozy. Torn nail pads and especially puncture wounds can be extremely hazardous, particularly to diabetics.  Dr. Mogul states that powder around the toes will help prevent rubbing and the best type of flip flops are the ones with the deep heel cup and lift.