While shoes are a necessity, they can actually pose a risk to your feet. Women that wear high heel shoes or shoes that narrow in the toe area put themselves at risk for common foot problems. These problems can lead to pain and deformity and may even necessitate corrective surgery. According to the Mayo Clinic, each foot has 26 bones, 33 joints and more than 100 tendons, muscles and ligaments. Taking care of feet, avoiding high heels and using shoes that fit well can help to prevent some common problems.
Hammertoe
Hammertoe is when one of the toes bends and cannot be straightened. This deformity is caused by repetitively wearing shoes or hosiery that squeeze the toes in the front. Prevention includes avoiding high heels and wearing shoes that are wider in the toe area. Persons with hammertoe sometimes need surgery to correct the condition.
Tight Heel Cords
This condition is when the Achilles tendon that connects the foot to the calf becomes tightened and shortened. High heels can precipitate this condition. Wearing high heels can prevent the tendon from stretching properly, which can cause it to contract. This results in pain when keeping the feet flat or wearing flat shoes.
Plantar Fasciitis
The plantar fascia holds up the bones on the bottom of the foot, according to MedlinePlus. Plantar fasciitis is when the plantar fascia becomes inflamed and painful. Not wearing proper arch and heel support can precipitate this condition. Persons who are runners, are obese or have a tight Achilles tendon are also at risk. There are medications that can help with pain, while certain stretching exercises and arch supports can help the condition. In more severe cases, persons may need steroid injections or surgery.
Bunions
Bunions are a result of the joint of the big toe becoming unaligned, resulting in it bending toward the other toes. It results in extra bone growth and fluid building up in the toe. This can happen as a result of wearing shoes that are too tight. Using wide-toe shoes and special pads to protect the area can help. Sometimes persons need surgery to realign the toe.
Other Problems
Other problems that can result from wearing footwear that is too tight or from high heels include blisters, corns and calluses. Blisters are fluid-filled areas caused by friction, while corns and calluses are thick layers of skin caused by rubbing. If a person experiences any foot-related problem, she should consult a doctor or podiatrist, rather than trying to treat the problem at home.
