Higher heels linked to increase in foot problems

St. Louis (KSDK) -- Your high heels may be doing more harm than you think.

Doctors say they're seeing more and more women coming in with foot problems because the high heel heights are soaring and there seems to be less support in some of those shoes.

Ten or 15 years ago, the problems were a lot easier to fix, but now doctors say women are set on wearing higher heel, so they're doing a lot more long term damage.

"The higher the heels the worse the problems," said Dr. Rick Lehman, an orthopedic surgeon. "As these new shoes come out the incidents of foot problems have gone through the roof."

Dr. Lehman said the high heels can cause bunions, plantar fasciitis and achilles tendon problems.

Dr. Lehman says if you're going to wear high heels, make sure to stretch your feet, wear a wide enough shoe and give your feet a break if they start to hurt.