There’s no denying the allure of a great pair of high heels. There’s also no denying the power they have to wreak havoc on your feet. Many women considering foot surgery are concerned with how the procedure might affect their choice of footwear. The good news is that foot surgery for problems like bunions or plantar fasciitis may eventually make wearing high heels more comfortable. But the bad news is that the high heels may have contributed to the need for foot surgery in the first place.
Your feet need to support the entire weight of your body, and the 26 bones, 33 joints and 100 tendons in your feet endure a lot of wear and tear. The shoes you wear affect how your feet move, which in turn affects your posture and how the rest of your body functions. Shoe heels that are too thick, too thin or too high force you to adjust your stride and the position of your foot while standing and walking. In one study, women who had a long history of wearing high heels tended to keep their feet in a toes-pointed, flexed position, causing shorter, tighter muscles in their calves.
High heels have also been found to cause other conditions that may necessitate surgery, including
- bunions
- hammertoes
- ankle sprains
- ligament tears
Fashion trends are what they are, and occasional high-heel use may indeed be possible after foot surgery, depending on your individual case. We will make sure your feet are ready for heels; most surgeons recommend wearing comfortable flat shoes for a period of time following surgery.
After surgery, we can help you restore flexibility,range of motion and strength in your feet, while also addressing the physiological imbalances caused by high-heel use. This way, when you do get back into your favorite pair of shoes, your body will be better prepared.
