The rundown on foot health

Beware of the numerous foot problems linked to high heels and poor-fitting shoes . . .

Those stilettos on your feet may look good, but your lower body may be paying a price. From back and hip pain to calf and knee pain, being fashionable may cost you more than you bargained for.

Visually, it’s no secret that a woman’s posture is impacted by heels. The center mass in the body is pushed forward, causing the hips and back to become misaligned. Calf muscles contract, shorten and tighten to accommodate the angle of the foot. Excess force is placed on the knees. A study at the University of Virginia even documented an increase in knee pressure of as much as 26%.

Beware of the numerous foot problems linked to high heels and poor-fitting shoes: corns and calluses (thick, hardened layers of skin develop in areas of friction), toenail problems (ingrown toenails and nail fungus), hammertoe (the muscles in the second, third and fourth toes become bent and unable to straighten), metatarsalgia (increasing pressure on forefoot results in pain on the ball of foot), Morton’s Neuroma (thickening of tissue around the nerve between the third and fourth toe can cause pain and numbness in the toes), pump bump (Haglund’s Deformity: bony enlargement on the back of the heel), and bunions (a bony growth on the joint at the base of the big toe).

For more information, I talked to Jonathan T. Deland, MD, chief of the Foot and Ankle Center at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York and recipient of the 2009 Healthnetwork Service Excellence Award.

What are the most common foot and ankle problems you encounter?

Bunions, arthritis of the big toe and ankle joint injuries.

Are there problems that tend to affect men more than women?

More men are affected by arthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal (MP) joint and traumatic injuries.

How can people prevent these problems?

Be sure to wear shoes that accommodate the foot and have some cushion. Many foot problems are genetic but also influenced by shoe type.

What is the typical recovery time of foot/ankle surgery?

The average recovery time is six to 10 weeks. Again, use well-cushioned shoes! If you have pain and problems with alignment, get it fixed in a good position.

Whether you’re walking the streets of Paris or simply moseying down Main Street, remember to wear supportive shoes. And should you need to see an orthopedic specialist, call Healthnetwork today. Healthnetwork partners with most of the top orthopedic centers in the country to ensure all your foot and ankle needs are addressed by the best.

Susan Locke, MD, is Healthnetwork’s medical director.

Healthnetwork is a Legatus membership benefit, a health care “concierge service” that provides members and their families access to some of the most respected hospitals in the world. One Call Starts It All: (866) 968-2467 or (440) 893-0830. Email: [email protected]