Nearly three million women suffer high-heels related injuries which need medical attention, a recent study suggests. The Sun reported that 3000 women in the age group of 18 to 65 were studied by Hot Shoes, makers of comfort footwear.
Most women twisted an ankle or tore a tendon but there were serious cases also of smashed teeth, broken bones and nasty falls. Yet, even this is not enough to dissuade 60 per cent of those interviewed for the study who said that they will continue wearing heels.
Almost 90 per cent of participants reported discomfit and ruined nights because of high heels. And 61 per cent reported sitting the night out due to the pain.
Only two per cent of those interviewed said that they did not wear high heels. Medical reports suggest that high heels could lead to foot deformities, posture problems, neck injuries and permanent damage in some cases. A 2001 Harvard study also found that high heels can set the stage for osteoarthritis of the knees.
Another study done by the shoe firm MBT claims high heel-induced injuries like twisted ankles, bunions and ingrown toenails cost the UK £29 million a year. The MBT study that included 1,000 women found that four in 10 women suffered an injury in their heels, such as falling over or twisting their ankles from wearing glamorous footwear.
A worrying trend is that women are getting cosmetic surgeries to fit into their Manolo Blahniks and Jimmy Choos. More than half of the 175 members of the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society who responded to a recent survey by the group said that they had treated patients with problems resulting from cosmetic foot surgery.
The society will soon issue a statement condemning the procedures, said Rich Cantrall, its executive director.
Celebrities routinely undergo such surgeries as they more than anyone develop foot problems and ugly bunions and toes due to constant wearing of high Heels. Victoria Beckham was recently in the news for such a surgery.
High heels have been in fashion as far back as 1000 BC. They were a social status symbol. Women in the 16th and 17th century took it to great heights and teetered around in 5-8 inches high shoes. They had attendants to help them move and sometimes carried stylish canes to support them. It is only in the 20th century that demand for comfortable, fashionable shoes came from liberated women. Whatever the evidence to the contrary, it is still very difficult to separate women from their high-heels as history relates.
Showing posts with label foot and ankle pain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label foot and ankle pain. Show all posts
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Advice for Hikers and Hunters: Long, Vigorous Hikes Take Toll on Feet, Ankles
As brightly colored leaves dazzle the fall landscape, hikers and hunters nationwide will migrate to mountains, woods and fields, but many, unfortunately, are ill prepared for the beating their feet will take.
Hikers, hunters and others who love the outdoors often don’t realize how strenuous it can be to withstand constant, vigorous walking on uneven terrain. Lax physical conditioning and inappropriate footwear bring scores of outdoor enthusiasts to foot specialists each fall for treatment of foot and ankle problems such as chronic heel pain, ankle sprains, Achilles tendonitis, fungal infections and severe blisters.
Walking up and down steep hillsides and tramping through wet, slippery fields and wooded areas puts stress on the muscles and tendons in the feet and ankles, especially if you haven’t conditioned properly before hitting the trail. Also, many don’t realize that cross-training athletic shoes aren’t the best choice for extended hiking and hunting. Many injuries can be avoided by wearing sturdy, well constructed hiking boots.
Hikers and hunters should investment in top-quality hiking boots. Strong, well insulated and moisture-proof boots with steel or graphite shanks offer excellent ankle and foot support that helps lessen stress and muscle fatigue to reduce injury risk. Supportive shanks decrease strain on the arch by allowing the boot to distribute impact as the foot moves forward. If a boot bends in the middle, it may not be well suited for hunting or hiking.
In wet and cold weather, wearing the right socks can help prevent blisters, fungal infections and frostbite. Synthetic socks are excellent as the first layer to keep the feet dry and reduce blister-causing friction. For the second layer, wool socks add warmth, absorb moisture away from the skin, and help make the hiking boot more comfortable. Wool lets moisture evaporate more readily than cotton, so fewer blisters develop.
What happens if your feet or ankles hurt during a hike or hunt? Pain usually occurs from overuse, even from just walking. If you’re not accustomed to walking on sloped or uneven ground, your legs and feet will get tired and cause muscles and tendons to ache. To avoid a serious injury, such as a severe ankle sprain or an Achilles tendon rupture, rest for awhile if you start hurting.
Pain is a warning sign that something is wrong. Serious injury risk escalates significantly if you continue hiking in pain. Hiking, like skiing, is an activity in which beginners should take on less difficult trails until they become better conditioned and more confident.
Evaluation by a foot and ankle specialist is recommended if there is persistent pain following a hiking or hunting outing. Ankle instability and strained Achilles tendons are most concerning. Inattention to these problems at their early stages may lead to a serious injury that will keep you off the trails for a long time.
Hikers, hunters and others who love the outdoors often don’t realize how strenuous it can be to withstand constant, vigorous walking on uneven terrain. Lax physical conditioning and inappropriate footwear bring scores of outdoor enthusiasts to foot specialists each fall for treatment of foot and ankle problems such as chronic heel pain, ankle sprains, Achilles tendonitis, fungal infections and severe blisters.
Walking up and down steep hillsides and tramping through wet, slippery fields and wooded areas puts stress on the muscles and tendons in the feet and ankles, especially if you haven’t conditioned properly before hitting the trail. Also, many don’t realize that cross-training athletic shoes aren’t the best choice for extended hiking and hunting. Many injuries can be avoided by wearing sturdy, well constructed hiking boots.
Hikers and hunters should investment in top-quality hiking boots. Strong, well insulated and moisture-proof boots with steel or graphite shanks offer excellent ankle and foot support that helps lessen stress and muscle fatigue to reduce injury risk. Supportive shanks decrease strain on the arch by allowing the boot to distribute impact as the foot moves forward. If a boot bends in the middle, it may not be well suited for hunting or hiking.
In wet and cold weather, wearing the right socks can help prevent blisters, fungal infections and frostbite. Synthetic socks are excellent as the first layer to keep the feet dry and reduce blister-causing friction. For the second layer, wool socks add warmth, absorb moisture away from the skin, and help make the hiking boot more comfortable. Wool lets moisture evaporate more readily than cotton, so fewer blisters develop.
What happens if your feet or ankles hurt during a hike or hunt? Pain usually occurs from overuse, even from just walking. If you’re not accustomed to walking on sloped or uneven ground, your legs and feet will get tired and cause muscles and tendons to ache. To avoid a serious injury, such as a severe ankle sprain or an Achilles tendon rupture, rest for awhile if you start hurting.
Pain is a warning sign that something is wrong. Serious injury risk escalates significantly if you continue hiking in pain. Hiking, like skiing, is an activity in which beginners should take on less difficult trails until they become better conditioned and more confident.
Evaluation by a foot and ankle specialist is recommended if there is persistent pain following a hiking or hunting outing. Ankle instability and strained Achilles tendons are most concerning. Inattention to these problems at their early stages may lead to a serious injury that will keep you off the trails for a long time.
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