Spoiler: not only high heels, but also your favorite sneakers do harm.
What are the criteria by which a woman chooses shoes? Of course, in appearance. Surely you are one of those who first of all assess whether the shoes fit a new handbag or evening dress, while convenience and comfort fade into the background. “Beauty requires sacrifice” – this slogan is considered fair by most women. But these sacrifices in some cases can be exorbitant. Choosing the wrong footwear runs the risk of injury or chronic orthopedic diseases of the foot. Is it worth paying for beauty with health?
There are a huge number of shoes in the world that you shouldn’t wear every day. Yuri Glazkov, orthopedic traumatologist, doctor of joints, the founder of arthrotherapy, told five main criteria that indicate its trauma hazard.
1. Narrow toe. Shoes with a narrow toe do not injure the foot all at once, but gradually. It increases the risk of hallux valgus. This disease is popularly called the “bone” on the leg. The joint is deformed, a “bone” appears on the inside of the foot, which gradually increases in size. It gets inflamed from time to time. The big toe is displaced, and it damages the second toe, provoking the appearance of a wound, and then a callus. The disease is treated only with a surgical method.
2. High heel. Undoubtedly, a high heel is beautiful. However, Slavic women often abuse this type of footwear. It is not uncommon for them to wear high-heeled shoes on a daily basis, putting them on to work. Even if a woman is used to walking in such shoes, the risk of injury is still high.
The higher the heel, the more likely you are to lose your balance and fall. It doesn’t matter what skills you have. There are circumstances that practically do not depend on you: the heel can break, get stuck in the gap. After all, it is almost impossible to constantly keep your attention on where you step.
Thus, the main danger of a high heel is injury from a fall. You can also twist your leg. It also increases the risk of hallux valgus.
3. Flat solid sole. The lack of a heel is also harmful. A thin or hard outsole with very little or no heel increases the shock load on the foot when walking. It increases the risk of developing flat feet. In turn, flat feet can become a source of other problems. Among them – all the same “bone” on the leg. With a thin, flat and firm sole, the risk of spinal diseases increases due to the fact that it too is under stress.
4. Slippery outsole. The slippery sole should be considered the most traumatic. The reasons for this are obvious: it increases the risk of falling. Its consequences are unpredictable – from minor bruises to complex bone fractures. The most dangerous thing is to wear slippery shoes in winter. But in the summer, you can fall – the cause may be slippery laminate or a recently washed floor.
5. Platform shoes. The platform is often chosen as an alternative to the high stiletto heel. After all, such a sole increases a woman’s height, makes her legs longer. At the same time, wearing platform shoes is one of the shortest paths to injury. It is easy to twist your foot in it, especially if you are not used to it, if you do not wear such shoes too often.
Ideally, shoes should have a heel of about 2 cm. It is advisable to choose shoes with a rounded toe. The sole is not slippery, not stiff, not too thick. The ligaments of the foot themselves must perform a shock-absorbing function, otherwise they will weaken. It is good if there is an instep support inside. Shoes should be leather or suede.
The above does not mean that you should give up traumatic shoes for good. Of course, there are situations when it is simply necessary to wear high-heeled shoes. But you shouldn’t wear it every day. If you go to work or shopping, it is best to opt for comfortable shoes that will not hurt you.