High Heels: Worth the Risk?
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Danielle Barkema, a master’s candidate at Iowa State University, didn’t get the idea from a scientific journal or studying orthopedics, but instead, from her sister. “My sister had experience in a department store atmosphere, and a lot of the older women she had worked with had been wearing high heels for years, and a lot of them had various joint problems through the years,” says Barkema.
She conducted the study under the guidance of kinesiology professor Phil Martin, by organizing and observing walking trials with 15 women, each walking in flat, two-inch, and 3.5-inch heels. Using sensors and accelerometers in the lab, Barkema measured the affect each heelstrike had on the knee joint. Their study found that heel height is a major factor in the potential for long term joint issues and is directly affected by factors including walking speed and stride lengths. “The higher the heel, the higher the risk,” for joint degeneration and knee osteoarthritis, concludes Barkema.
Mike Nula, CEO and Founder of Elite Physical Therapy in East Greenwich, says he has seen first hand, throughout his career, the affects of long-term wearing of high heels. “I can’t tell you how many people come through here with foot, knee and back problems due to poor footwear,” he says. “We make the analogy that the body is a lot like a house: if the foundation is not strong, nothing will be.”
Nula’s not calling for a boycott of stilettos; he knows better. “Women love their shoes–I should know. I’m married and have three daughters!” he jokes. But, he recommends, wear them sparingly. Depend on well-made, supportive shoes for everyday wear and reserve high heels for special occasions or short-term use. “We’re just saying limit your use, use in moderation,” he explains. He suggests starting at a store that has qualified staff, like Feet First (in Wakefield and East Greenwich) or Jamiel’s Shoe World (in Warren) who will properly measure your foot. By making the right decisions now, he says, you can avoid having to deal with pain and discomfort later in life.
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