Wearing high heels regularly can take a toll on your body over time, and may produce weakened ligaments, lower back and knee pain, bunions, corns, calluses, plantar fasciitis, hammertoe, Morton’s neuroma, sesamoiditis, stiffened/shortened Achilles tendons, ankle sprains, and more. Women who are not dissuaded completely from wearing high heels can try to minimize their harmful effects with a few modifications. Shoes should be properly fitted and not too small. Foot size changes with age, childbirth, and fluctuations in weight, and feet should be measured for length and width with every shoe purchase. Heels should not be worn every day—only once in a while or on special occasions. Pencil-thin stilettos should be switched out with wider-heeled shoes which distribute body weight more evenly across the heel, or platforms or wedges that offer more stability and support. T-strap or Mary Jane styles help prevent the foot from sliding forward into the narrower part of the shoe, and also keep it more aligned evenly over the arch. A podiatrist may have additional footwear advice as well as the ability to create custom orthotics for support and to relieve pressure points on the foot caused by high heels.

High heels have a history of causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from Premier Ankle & Foot Specialists. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because of their many styles and societal appeal.  Despite this, high heels can still cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

Which Parts of My Body Will Be Affected by High Heels?

• Ankle Joints
• Achilles Tendon – May shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
• Balls of the Feet
• Knees – Heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
• Back – They decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain.  The vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What Kinds of Foot Problems Can Develop from Wearing High Heels?

• Corns
• Calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Plantar Fasciitis

How Can I Still Wear High Heels and Maintain Foot Health?

If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems.  Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet.  Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising.  If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work.  Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock. Full foot inserts or metatarsal pads are available. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in South York, West York, and East York, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Sever’s disease is one of the most common causes of heel pain in active children, especially those who participate in running or jumping sports. It is not a disease in the traditional sense, but rather an overuse injury that develops when the growth plate in the heel becomes irritated. Symptoms usually include pain at the back of the heel that worsens with activity and improves with rest. Sometimes there may be swelling or difficulty walking comfortably. Diagnosis is usually based on a detailed history and physical examination rather than imaging, since X-rays often appear normal. A podiatrist will gently press around the heel and evaluate the child’s gait to confirm the source of discomfort. If your child is experiencing recurring heel pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment guidance.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see one of our podiatrists from Premier Ankle & Foot Specialists. Our doctors can treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis, which is a medical condition that causes heel pain I none or both feet. The disease is known to affect children between the ages of 8 and 14.

Sever’s disease occurs when part of the child’s heel known as the growth plate (calcaneal epiphysis) is attached to the Achilles tendon. This area can suffer injury when the muscles and tendons of the growing foot do not keep pace with bone growth. Therefore, the constant pain which one experiences at the back of the heel will make the child unable to put any weight on the heel. The child is then forced to walk on their toes.

Symptoms

Acute pain – Pain associated with Sever’s disease is usually felt in the heel when the child engages in physical activity such as walking, jumping and or running.

Highly active – Children who are very active are among the most susceptible in experiencing Sever’s disease, because of the stress and tension placed on their feet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in South York, West York, and East York, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Ankle injuries are common in athletes and can range from mild sprains to severe ligament tears or fractures. They often result from sudden twists, awkward landings, or collisions during sports activities. Risk factors include inadequate warmups, wearing poor footwear, previous injuries, and playing on uneven surfaces. These injuries can lead to swelling, pain, instability, and reduced performance, if not treated properly. A podiatrist can provide an expert diagnosis, develop personalized treatment plans, and recommend braces, orthotics, or rehabilitation exercises to promote recovery and prevent reinjury. If ankle pain or instability is affecting your activity, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist to receive professional care, restore strength, and return to athletic activities with confidence and safety.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Premier Ankle & Foot Specialists. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in South York, West York, and East York, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.