If you’re one of those PAs that peers down at your boss thanks to your vertiginous footwear, you might want to think twice. A new survey by the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists says that high heels could be causing arthritis in millions of women. According to the society, the wrong footwear, allied to rising levels of obesity and the ageing population, could lead to an ‘arthritis crisis’.
The condition, which causes pain and stiffness in joints, already afflicts eight million people in the UK. ‘Although you’re more likely to develop arthritis as you get older, it can occur at any time,’ says Professor Anthony Redmond, a podiatrist and arthritis researcher from the society.
‘Choosing the right footwear will help minimise the stress on the feet and joints during everyday activity and reduce the risk of injury and joint damage.’
Among the no-nos are wedges, kitten heels and platforms, all of which cause stress to the cartilage and contribute to the onset of osteoarthritis.??‘For daily wear, the recommendation is to go for a round-toed shoe with a heel height of no more than 2-3cm (1 inch) and with a shock-absorbent sole to help minimise shock to the joints,’ says Professor Redmond.
‘If you do experience frequent pain in your feet or ankles, don't ignore it, something can always be done.’
No-one is saying you have to ditch heels completely. Just save them for days when you want the boss to feel small…