Seoul, Korea – High heels, which so many women enjoy wearing, can have negative effects on the body as a whole. When a person takes a step forward, 25 percent more of the body’s weight is carried by the other foot. Normally, 50 percent of the body’s weight is supported by the heel, 15 percent by the big toe, and 35 percent by the other four toes. If one wears very high heels, the weight is not spread out evenly, which leads to foot ailments.

The bunion is the most common of big toe ailments. As the center of gravity moves forward toward the end of the foot, the big toe turns in toward the second toe and the tissues surrounding the joint swell and become inflamed. If it is caught early, the effects of the bunion can be reversed with special shoes. However, if the angle at which the big toe bends is too big or the pain is too great, or if another toe is affected, the patient needs to see a specialist.

Bunions have a low recurrence rate after an osteotomy, which straightens out the big toe’s bone and tissue, and after two or three months of rehab, one can go back to wearing regular shoes.

To avoid bunions, one should wear heels less than five centimeters high or not wear very high heels for more than two hours at a time. Because high heels force the body’s weight to move forward, they affect not only the foot but also the spine because its harder to maintain proper balance, leading to backaches and sciatica. When you wear high heels, it is important to take off your shoes now and then to give your feet some breathing room, even if it’s for just a moment.


By Yoo Jin Hee (star@jtn.co.kr)

Source: JTN (Original article in Korean)
Translated by Timothy Nam / Korea.com

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